PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND
485BPOS, 1998-02-24
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 1998
    
                                                       Registration Nos. 33-5033
                                                                        811-4642
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                 ---------------

                                    FORM N-1A

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                                      UNDER

                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                          PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.                        [ ]

   
                        POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 24                      [X]
    

                                     AND/OR

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                                      UNDER

                      THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940                     [X]

   
                               AMENDMENT NO. 27                              [X]
    

                        (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)

                                 ---------------

                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND
               (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)

                                 ---------------

               101 MUNSON STREET, GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01301
               (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)

                        C/O VARIABLE PRODUCTS OPERATIONS

                   PHOENIX HOME LIFE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

                                 (800) 447-4312

              (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

                                 ---------------

                                   COPIES TO:

    PHILIP R. MCLOUGHLIN                                 EDWIN L. KERR, ESQ.
THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND                        C/O PHOENIX HOME LIFE MUTUAL
C/O PHOENIX HOME LIFE MUTUAL                              INSURANCE COMPANY
      INSURANCE COMPANY                                   ONE AMERICAN ROW
      ONE AMERICAN ROW                                   HARTFORD, CT 06115
 HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115

                     (NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                                 ---------------

   
          It is proposed that this filing will become effective 
          (check appropriate box): 
          [ ] Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) 
          [X] On February 27, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (b), or 
          [ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) 
          [ ] On ( ) pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) 
          [ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) 
          [ ] On ( ) pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485
              If appropriate, check the following box:
          [X] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective 
              date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
    

<PAGE>

                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND

                              CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET

                   SHOWING LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS (PART A) AND
                  STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (PART B)
                      OF INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FORM N-1A
                             PURSUANT TO RULE 495(A)


                                     PART A

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         FORM N-1A ITEM                                               PROSPECTUS CAPTION

<S>                                                                     <C>
1.   Cover Page.................................................        Cover Page

2.   Synopsis...................................................        Introduction

3.   Condensed Financial Information............................        Financial Highlights

4.   General Description of Registrant..........................        Introduction; Investment Objectives and Policies; Other
                                                                        Special Investment Methods; The Fund and Its Management

5.   Management of the Fund.....................................        The Fund and Its Management; Custodian, Transfer Agent
                                                                        and Dividend Paying Agent

6.   Capital Stock and Other Securities.........................        The Fund and Its Management; Shares of Beneficial Interest;
                                                                        Dividends and Distributions; Taxes

7.   Purchase of Securities Being Offered.......................        Purchase of Shares; Net Asset Value; Redemption of Shares

8.   Redemption or Repurchase...................................        Purchase of Shares; Net Asset Value; Redemption of Shares

9.   Pending Legal Proceedings..................................        Not Applicable


                                     PART B
                        FORM N-1A ITEM                                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAPTION

10.  Cover Page.................................................        Cover Page

11.  Table of Contents..........................................        Table of Contents

12.  General Information and History............................        The Phoenix Edge Series Fund; Investing in the Fund

13.  Investment Objectives and Policies.........................        Investment Policies; Investment Restrictions;
                                                                        Portfolio Turnover

14.  Management of the Fund.....................................        Management of the Fund

15.  Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities........        Management of the Fund

16.  Investment Advisory and Other Services.....................        Management of the Fund; The Investment Adviser

17.  Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices...................        Brokerage Allocation

   
18.  Capital Stock and Other Securities.........................        Investing in the Fund; Redemption of Shares
    

19.  Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of
      Securities Being Offered..................................        Determination of Net Asset Value; Investing in the Fund;
                                                                        Redemption of Shares

20.  Tax Status.................................................        Taxes

21.  Underwriters...............................................        Not Applicable

22.  Calculation of Yield Quotations of Money
      Market Funds..............................................        Money Market Series

23.  Financial Statements.......................................        Financial Statements
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                    IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

The following funds as described in this prospectus are not yet available to
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS AND ARE PENDING CALIFORNIA state approval:

o       Engemann Nifty Fifty ("Nifty Fifty")
o       Seneca Mid-Cap Growth ("Seneca Mid-Cap")
o       Phoenix Growth and Income ("Growth & Income")
o       Phoenix Value Equity ("Value")
o       Schafer Mid-Cap Value ("Schafer Mid-Cap")

WE WILL NOTIFY CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS WHEN THESE FUNDS BECOME AVAILABLE 
UPON APPROVAL BY THE STATE.

                                      P-1
<PAGE>

                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND

HOME OFFICE:                                           PHOENIX VARIABLE PRODUCTS
                                                                MAIL OPERATIONS:
101 Munson Street                                                  P.O. Box 8027
Greenfield, MA                                             Boston, MA 02266-8027

                                   PROSPECTUS

   
                                February 27, 1998


    The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (formerly "The Big Edge Series Fund"), a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), is an open-end management investment
company which is intended to meet a wide range of investment objectives with its
15 separate Series. Generally, each Series operates as if it were a separate
fund.
    

    The shares of the Fund are not directly offered to the public. You can
invest in the Fund only by buying a Variable Accumulation Annuity Contract from
Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company ("Phoenix"), or by buying a Variable
Universal Life Insurance Policy, also offered by Phoenix, or by buying a
Variable Accumulation Annuity Contract offered by PHL Variable Insurance Company
("PHL Variable"), or by buying a Variable Universal Life Insurance Policy
offered by Phoenix Life and Annuity Company ("PLAC"), and directing the
allocation of your payment or payments to the Subaccount(s) corresponding to the
Series in which you wish to invest. The Subaccounts will, in turn, invest in
shares of the Fund. Not all Series may be offered through a particular Contract
or Policy. The Fund also offers its shares through other Phoenix products.

    The investment objectives of the Series are as follows:

    Multi-Sector Fixed Income ("Multi-Sector") Series. The investment objective
of the Multi-Sector Series is to seek long-term total return by investing in a
diversified portfolio of fixed income securities market sectors encompassing
high yield (high risk) and high quality fixed income securities. THE RISKS OF
INVESTING IN THESE SECURITIES ARE OUTLINED IN SECTION "INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND
POLICIES" OF THIS PROSPECTUS.

    Money Market Series. The investment objective of the Money Market Series is
to provide maximum current income consistent with capital preservation and
liquidity. The Money Market Series invests exclusively in high quality money
market instruments. AN INVESTMENT IN THE MONEY MARKET SERIES IS NEITHER INSURED
NOR GUARANTEED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE
SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $10 PER SHARE.


    Growth Series. The investment objective of the Growth Series is to achieve
intermediate and long-term growth of capital, with income as a secondary
consideration. The Growth Series invests principally in common stocks of
corporations believed by management to offer growth potential.

   
    Strategic Allocation ("Allocation") Series. The investment objective of the
Allocation Series is to realize as high a level of total rate of return over an
extended period of time as is considered consistent with prudent investment
risk. The Allocation Series invests in stocks, bonds and money market
instruments in accordance with the Adviser's appraisal of investments most
likely to achieve the highest total rate of return.
    

    Balanced Series. The investment objectives of the Balanced Series are
reasonable income, long-term capital growth and conservation of capital. It is
intended that this Series will invest in common stocks and fixed income
securities, with emphasis on income-producing securities which appear to have
some potential for capital enhancement.

    International Series. The investment objective of the International Series
is to seek a high total return consistent with reasonable risk. The
International Series intends to invest primarily in an internationally
diversified portfolio of equity securities. It intends to reduce its risk by
engaging in hedging transactions involving options, futures contracts and
foreign currency transactions (see "Other Special Investment Methods"). The
International Portfolio provides a means for investors to invest a portion of
their assets outside the United States.

    Real Estate Securities ("Real Estate") Series. The investment objective of
the Real Estate Series is to seek capital appreciation and income with
approximately equal emphasis. The Real Estate Series intends under normal
circumstances to invest in marketable securities of publicly traded real estate
investment trusts (REITs) and companies that operate, develop, manage and/or
invest in real estate located primarily in the United States.

    Strategic Theme ("Theme") Series. The investment objective of the Theme
Series is to seek long-term appreciation of capital. This Series seeks to
identify securities benefiting from long-term trends present in the United
States and abroad. The Series intends to invest primarily in common stocks
believed by the Adviser to have substantial potential for capital growth. Since
many trends may be early in their development and no history of industry growth
patterns are available, securities owned may present a high degree of risk.

    Aberdeen New Asia ("Asia") Series. This Series seeks as its investment
objective long-term capital appreciation. It is intended that this Series will
invest primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of issuers
located in at least three different countries throughout Asia, other than Japan.

    Research Enhanced Index ("Enhanced Index") Series. The investment objective
of the Enhanced Index Series is to seek high total return by investing in a
broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of large and medium
capitalization companies within market sectors reflected in the Standard &
Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the "S&P 500"). It is intended that the
Series will invest in a portfolio of undervalued common stocks and other equity
securities which 

                                      2-1

<PAGE>

appear to offer growth potential and an overall volatility of return similar to
that of the S&P 500.

    Engemann Nifty Fifty ("Nifty Fifty") Series. As its investment objective,
this Series seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing in
approximately 50 different securities which offer the best potential for long
term growth of capital. At least 75% of the Series' assets will be invested in
common stocks of high quality growth companies. The remaining portion will be
invested in common stocks of small corporations with rapidly growing earnings
per share or common stocks believed to be undervalued.

    Seneca Mid-Cap Growth ("Seneca Mid-Cap") Series. As its investment
objective, this Series seeks capital appreciation primarily through investments
in equity securities of companies that have the potential for above average
market appreciation. The Series' seeks to outperform the Standard & Poor's
Mid-Cap 400 Index.

    Phoenix Growth and Income ("Growth & Income") Series. This Series seeks, as
its investment objective, dividend growth, current income and capital
appreciation by investing in common stocks. The Fund seeks to achieve its
objective by selecting securities primarily from equity securities of the 1,000
largest companies traded in the United States, ranked by market capitalization.

    Phoenix Value Equity ("Value") Series. The primary investment objective is
long-term capital appreciation with a secondary investment objective of current
income. The Series seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a diversified
portfolio of common stocks that meet certain quantitative standards that
indicate above average financial soundness and intrinsic value relative to
price.

    Schafer Mid-Cap Value ("Schafer Mid-Cap") Series. Long-term capital
appreciation is the primary investment objective of this series with current
income as the secondary investment objective. The Series will invest in common
stocks of established companies having a strong financial position and a low
stock market valuation at the time of purchase which are believed to offer the
possibility of increase in value.


    There can be no assurance that any Series will achieve its objectives. See
"Investment Objectives and Policies."

   
    This Prospectus gives you the facts about the Fund and each of its Series
that you should know before directing investment in the Fund, and it should be
read and kept for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information dated
February 27, 1998, which contains further information about the Fund, has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and is
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. A free copy of the Statement of
Additional Information may be obtained by calling Variable Products Operations
of Phoenix at (800) 447-4312, or by writing to Phoenix Variable Products Mail
Operations at PO Box 8027, Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8027.
    

    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC NOR HAS
THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.









       This Prospectus should be read and retained for future reference.

                                      2-2

<PAGE>

                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


Heading                                                     Page
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

   
Fund Expenses............................................   2-4
Financial Highlights.....................................   2-5
Introduction.............................................  2-10
Investment Objectives and Policies.......................  2-11
    Multi-Sector Series..................................  2-11
    Money Market Series..................................  2-12
    Growth Series........................................  2-12
    Allocation Series....................................  2-13
    International Series.................................  2-13
    Balanced Series......................................  2-15
    Real Estate Series...................................  2-15
    Theme Series.........................................  2-16
    Asia Series..........................................  2-17
    Enhanced Index Series................................  2-18
    Nifty Fifty Series...................................  2-18
    Seneca Mid-Cap Series................................  2-18
    Growth & Income Series...............................  2-19
    Value Series.........................................  2-19
    Schafer Mid-Cap Series...............................  2-19
Other Special Investment Methods.........................  2-20
    Convertible Securities...............................  2-20
    Repurchase Agreements................................  2-20
    Options..............................................  2-20
    Financial Futures and Related Options................  2-21
    Foreign Securities...................................  2-21
    Leverage.............................................  2-22
    Private Placements & Rule 144A Securities............  2-22
    Mortgage-backed Securities...........................  2-22
    Lending of Portfolio Securities......................  2-23
    When-Issued Securities...............................  2-23
Investment Restrictions..................................  2-23
Portfolio Turnover.......................................  2-23
The Fund and Its Management..............................  2-24
Investment Advisers......................................  2-24
    Portfolio Managers...................................  2-25
        Balanced Series..................................  2-25
        Allocation Series................................  2-25
        Multi-Sector Series..............................  2-25
        Growth Series....................................  2-25
        International Series.............................  2-25
        Money Market Series..............................  2-25
        Real Estate Series...............................  2-25
        Theme Series.....................................  2-25
        Asia Series......................................  2-25
        Enhanced Index Series............................  2-25
        Nifty Fifty Series...............................  2-26
        Seneca Mid-Cap Series............................  2-26
        Growth & Income Series...........................  2-26
        Value Series.....................................  2-26
        Schafer Mid-Cap Series...........................  2-26
    Advisory Fees........................................  2-26
    Financial Agent......................................  2-27
    Expenses.............................................  2-27
    Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage.................  2-27
    Performance History..................................  2-27
Shares of Beneficial Interest............................  2-28
Purchase of Shares.......................................  2-29
Net Asset Value..........................................  2-29
Redemption of Shares.....................................  2-29
Dividends and Distributions..............................  2-29
Taxes   .................................................  2-30
Custodian, Transfer Agent and
    Dividend Paying Agent................................  2-30
Other Information........................................  2-30
    

No dealer, salesman or other person has been authorized to give any information
or to make any representations, other than those contained in this Prospectus,
and if given or made, such other information or representations must not be
relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund, the Investment Advisers or
the Distributor. This Prospectus does not constitute an offering in any state in
which such offering may not be lawfully made.

                                      2-3

<PAGE>

                                  FUND EXPENSES
   
    The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder in
each Series of the Fund will incur. Expenses borne by these separate accounts
and by the owners of the contracts and policies are not reflected in the table.
Please refer to the applicable Variable Contract prospectus for such charges.
The expenses and fees set forth in the table (except for the Nifty Fifty, Seneca
Mid-Cap, Growth & Income, Value and Schafer Mid-Cap Series) are for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996.
    
                        SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

                                                                      ALL SERIES
                                                                      ----------
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases..................................        None
Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends.......................        None
Deferred Sales Load..............................................        None
Redemption Fees..................................................        None
Exchange Fees....................................................        None
                                                          

<TABLE>
   
                                                  ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
                             (as a percentage of average net assets for the year ending December 31, 1996)
    
<CAPTION>
                                                                         MONEY
                                    GROWTH   MULTI-SECTOR   ALLOCATION   MARKET   INTERNATIONAL   BALANCED   REAL ESTATE   THEME
                                    ------   ------------   ----------   ------   -------------   --------   -----------   -----
<S>                                  <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>        <C> 
Management Fees
  Investment Advisory Fees........   .63%        .50%          .58%       .40%         .75%         .55%          .75%       .75%
12b-1 Fees........................   None        None          None       None         None         None          None       None
Other Operating Expenses
  (After Reimbursement)...........   .09%(1)     .15%(1)       .12%(1)    .15%(1)      .29%(1)      .13%(1)       .25%(2)    .25%(3)
                                     ----        ----          ----       ----        -----        -----         -----      ----- 
  Total Fund Operating Expenses...   .72%        .65%          .70%       .55%        1.04%         .68%          1.00%     1.00%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               ENHANCED
                                     ASIA       INDEX     NIFTY FIFTY   GROWTH & INCOME    VALUE    SENECA MID-CAP   SCHAFER MID-CAP
                                     ----       -----     -----------   ---------------    -----    --------------   ---------------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>          <C>               <C>  
                                                                                                                     
Management Fees                                                                                                      
  Investment Advisory Fees........  1.00%       .45%         .90%             .70%         .70%         .80%              1.05%
12b-1 Fees........................   None       None         None             None         None         None               None
Other Operating Expenses                                                                                                  
  (After Reimbursement)...........   .25%(4)    .10%(1)      .15%             .15%(1)      .15%(1)      .25%(1)            .15%(1)
                                    -----       ----         ----             ----         ----        -----              -----
  Total Fund Operating Expenses...  1.25%       .55%        1.05%             .85%         .85%        1.05%              1.20%
</TABLE>                                             
    

EXAMPLE:
The following example illustrates the expenses that you would pay on a $1,000
investment over various time periods assuming (1) a 5% annual rate of return and
(2) redemption at the end of each time period. As noted above, the Fund charges
no redemption fees of any kind.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         MONEY
                                    GROWTH   MULTI-SECTOR   ALLOCATION   MARKET   INTERNATIONAL   BALANCED   REAL ESTATE   THEME
                                    ------   ------------   ----------   ------   -------------   --------   -----------   -----
<S>                                   <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C> 
1 Year............................    $ 7        $  7          $ 7        $  6         $ 11         $ 7          $ 10       $ 10
3 Years...........................    $23        $ 21          $22        $ 18         $ 33         $22          $ 32       $ 32
5 Years...........................    $40        $ 36          $39        $ 31         $ 57         $38          $ 55       $ 55
10 Years..........................    $89        $ 81          $87        $ 69         $127         $85          $122       $122
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               ENHANCED
                                     ASIA       INDEX     NIFTY FIFTY   GROWTH & INCOME    VALUE    SENECA MID-CAP   SCHAFER MID-CAP
                                     ----       -----     -----------   ---------------    -----    --------------   ---------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>          <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>               <C> 
                                                                                                                     
1 Year............................   $ 13       $  6         $ 11            $  9          $   9        $  11             $ 12
3 Years...........................   $ 40       $ 18         $ 33            $ 27          $  27        $  33             $ 38
5 Years...........................   $ 69        N/A         $ 58            $ 47          $  47        $  58             $ 66
10 Years..........................   $151        N/A         $128            $105          $ 105        $ 128             $145
</TABLE>                                               
    

THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES
OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE
SHOWN. THE PURPOSE OF THE TABLE IS TO ASSIST THE INVESTOR IN UNDERSTANDING THE
VARIOUS COSTS AND EXPENSES THAT AN INVESTOR WILL BEAR DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AT
THE FUND LEVEL. SEE "THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT."

   
(1) Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. ("PIC") has agreed to reimburse the Series
    for the amount, if any, by which each Series' operating expenses other than
    the management fee for any fiscal year exceed .15% of the average net
    assets of the Series, except for the International, Enhanced Index and
    Seneca Mid-Cap Series, which are .40%, .10% and .25% respectively. If these
    reimbursements had not been in place for the fiscal year ended December 31,
    1996, total operating expenses for the Multi-Sector Series would have been
    .67% of the average net assets of such Series. Without reimbursement, the
    total operating expenses are estimated to be approximately .70% of the
    average net assets of the Enhanced Index Series for the fiscal year ending
    December 31, 1997. Without reimbursement, other operating expenses are
    estimated to be approximately .45%, .88%, .40%, .40% and .26% of the
    average net assets of the Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap, Growth & Income,
    Value and Schafer Mid-Cap Series, respectively, for the fiscal year ending
    December 31, 1998. Without reimbursement, the total operating expenses are
    estimated to be approximately 1.35%, 1.68%, 1.10%, 1.10% and 1.31% of the
    average net assets of the Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap, Growth & Income,
    Value and Schafer Mid-Cap Series, respectively, for the fiscal year ending
    December 31, 1998.

(2) Phoenix Realty Securities, Inc. and/or Phoenix and/or PHL Variable have
    agreed to reimburse the Real Estate Series' operating expenses for the
    amount, if any, by which such Series' operating expenses other than the
    management fees for any fiscal year exceed .25% of the average net assets
    of such Series. If this reimbursement had not been in place for the fiscal
    year ended December 31, 1996, total operating expenses for the Real Estate
    Series would have been 1.43% of average net assets of such Series.

(3) PIC and/or Phoenix and/or PHL Variable have agreed to reimburse the Theme
    Series' operating expenses for the amount, if any, by which such Series'
    operating expenses other than the management fees for any fiscal year
    exceed .25% of the average net assets of such Series. If this reimbursement
    had not been in place for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, total
    operating expenses for the Theme Series would have been 1.28% of the
    average net assets of such Series.

(4) Phoenix-Aberdeen International Advisors, LLC and/or Phoenix and/or PHL
    Variable have agreed to reimburse the Asia Series' operating expenses for
    the amount, if any, by which such Series' operating expenses other than the
    management fees for any fiscal year exceed .25% of the average net assets
    of such Series. If this reimbursement had not been in place for the fiscal
    year ending December 31, 1996, total operating expenses for the Asia Series
    would have been 2.87% of the average net assets of such Series.
    


                                      2-4

<PAGE>


                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                       SELECTED PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS
            (FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE INDICATED PERIOD)

    The following tables set forth certain financial information for the
respective fiscal years of the Fund. The annual information has been extracted
from the Fund's audited financial statements for the respective periods. The
financial information has been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent
accountants, whose unqualified report thereon is included in the Annual Report
to Shareholders dated December 31, 1996, which is included in the Statement of
Additional Information. The Statement of Additional Information and the Fund's
most recent Annual Report (which contains a discussion of the Fund's
performance) are available at no charge upon request.

<TABLE>
                                                            MONEY MARKET SERIES
<CAPTION>
                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                      SIX MONTHS                                           -----------------------
                         ENDED
                        6/30/97
                      (UNAUDITED)    1996      1995         1994       1993      1992      1991    1990     1989     1988    1987
                      -----------    ----      ----         ----       ----      ----      ----    ----     ----     ----    ----
Net asset value,            
  beginning of 
<S>                   <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>    
  period............. $  10.00     $  10.00  $  10.00     $ 10.00    $ 10.00    $ 10.00  $ 10.00 $ 10.00  $ 10.00  $ 10.00  $ 10.00
Income from investment      
operations
  Net investment 
  income.............     0.25         0.50      0.56        0.38(1)    0.28(1)    0.35     0.58    0.79     0.88     0.72     0.63 
                          ----         ----      ----        ----       ----       ----     ----    ----     ----     ----     ---- 
   Total from investment         
   operations........     0.25         0.50      0.56        0.38       0.28       0.35     0.58    0.79     0.88     0.72     0.63 
                          ----         ----      ----        ----       ----       ----     ----    ----     ----     ----     ----
Less distributions:                            
  Dividends from net        
  investment income..    (0.25)       (0.50)    (0.56)      (0.38)     (0.28)     (0.35)   (0.58)  (0.79)   (0.88)   (0.72)   (0.63)
                          ----         ----      ----        ----       ----       ----     ----    ----     ----     ----     ---- 
   Total 
   distributions.....    (0.25)       (0.50)    (0.56)      (0.38)     (0.28)     (0.35)   (0.58)  (0.79)   (0.88)   (0.72)   (0.63)
                         ------       ------    ------      ------     ------     ------   ------  ------   ------   ------   ------
Change in net asset 
value................      --           --        --          --         --         --       --      --       --       --       --  
                          ----         ----      ----        ----       ----       ----     ----    ----     ----     ----     ---- 
Net asset value, end 
of period............ $  10.00     $  10.00  $  10.00     $ 10.00    $ 10.00    $ 10.00  $ 10.00 $ 10.00  $ 10.00  $ 10.00  $ 10.00
                      ========     ========  ========     =======    =======    =======  ======= =======  =======  =======  ======= 
Total Return(2)......     2.48%(4)     4.98%     5.55%       3.77%      2.80%      3.50%    5.80%   7.90%    8.80%    7.20%    6.30%
Ratios/supplemental 
data:                
  Net assets, end of 
  period (thousands). $124,735     $131,361  $102,943     $94,586    $72,946    $69,962  $51,692 $38,709  $28,808  $22,294  $10,749
Ratio to average net
assets of:
  Operating expenses.     0.54%(5)     0.55%     0.53%(3)    0.55%      0.55%      0.50%    0.50%   0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%
  Net investment 
  income.............     5.01%(5)     4.89%     5.57%       3.85%      2.84%      3.49%    5.76%   7.87%    8.96%    7.24%    6.30%
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of $.003
    and $0.01 per share, respectively.
(2) Total return information does not reflect expenses that apply to the
    separate accounts or related contracts; inclusion of these charges would
    reduce total return for all periods shown.
(3) For the year ended December 31, 1995, the ratio of operating expenses to
    average net assets excludes the effect of expense offsets for custodian
    fees; if expense offsets were included, the ratio would not significantly
    differ.
(4) Not annualized. (5) Annualized.

<TABLE>
                                                                GROWTH SERIES
<CAPTION>
                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                      SIX MONTHS                                           -----------------------
                         ENDED
                        6/30/97
                      (UNAUDITED)       1996      1995        1994         1993     1992     1991    1990    1989    1988    1987
                      -----------       ----      ----        ----         ----     ----     ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
Net asset value,            
  beginning of 
<S>                   <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>    
  period............. $    18.89   $    18.13 $  15.69    $  16.59     $  15.01 $  14.43 $  11.72 $ 11.62 $  8.83 $  8.81 $  9.84
Income from investment
operations
  Net investment 
  income.............       0.09         0.19     0.20        0.23(1,3)    0.16(3)  0.22(3)  0.39(3) 0.35(3) 0.27(3) 0.32(3) 0.19(3)
  Net realized and                
  unrealized gain....       1.77         2.10     4.60        0.02         2.77     1.25     4.64    0.10    2.88    0.02    0.45
                            ----         ----     ----        ----         ----     ----     ----    ----    ----    ----    ---- 
   Total from investment          
   operations........       1.86         2.29     4.80        0.25         2.93     1.47     5.03    0.45    3.15    0.34    0.64 
                            ----         ----     ----        ----         ----     ----     ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
Less distributions:              
  Dividends from net
  investment income..      (0.10)       (0.18)   (0.17)      (0.23)       (0.15)   (0.23)   (0.37)  (0.35)  (0.27)  (0.32)  (0.21)
  Dividends from net 
  realized gains           (1.18)       (1.35)   (2.19)      (0.92)       (1.20)   (0.66)   (1.95)    --    (0.09)    --    (1.46)
                           ------       ------   ------     ------        ------   ------   ------   ----   ------   ----   ------
   Total             
   distributions.....      (1.28)       (1.53)   (2.36)      (1.15)       (1.35)   (0.89)   (2.32)  (0.35)  (0.36)  (0.32)  (1.67)
                           ------       ------   ------      ------       ------   ------   ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
Change in net asset 
value................       0.58         0.76     2.44       (0.90)        1.58     0.58     2.71    0.10    2.79    0.02   (1.03)
                            ----         ----     ----       -----         ----     ----     ----    ----    ----    ----   ------
Net asset value, end 
of period............ $    19.47   $    18.89 $  18.13    $  15.69     $  16.59 $  15.01 $  14.43 $ 11.72 $ 11.62 $  8.83 $  8.81
                      ==========   ========== ========    ========     ======== ======== ======== ======= ======= ======= =======
Total Return(2)......       9.81%(6)    12.58%   30.85%       1.48%       19.69%   10.29%   43.83%   3.98%  36.06%   3.83%   7.05%
Ratios/supplemental data:   
  Net assets, end of 
  period (thousands). $1,365,264   $1,235,395 $985,389    $616,221     $446,368 $245,565 $102,259 $40,061 $29,931 $18,051 $18,860
Ratio to average net 
assets of:      
  Operating expenses.       0.71%(7)    0.72%     0.75%(4)    0.80%        0.79%    0.50%    0.50%   0.50%  0.50%    0.50%   0.50%
  Net investment 
  income.............       0.92%(7)    1.03%     1.12%       1.38%        0.97%    1.66%    2.14%   3.19%  2.51%    3.64%   2.34%
   
Portfolio turnover  
rate.................        186%(6)     167%      173%        185%         185%     214%     237%    272%   285%     326%    251%
    
Average commission  
rate paid(5)......... $   0.0501     $ 0.0455        N/A         N/A         N/A      N/A      N/A     N/A    N/A      N/A     N/A
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of $.003
    per share.
(2) Total return information does not reflect expenses that apply to the
    separate accounts or related contracts; inclusion of these charges would
    reduce total return for all periods shown.
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(4) For the year ended December 31, 1995, the ratio of operating expenses to
    average net assets excludes the effect of expense offsets for custodian
    fees; if expense offsets were included, the ratio would not significantly
    differ.
(5) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is required
    to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities trades on
    which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not reflect
    mark-ups, mark-downs or spreads on shares traded on a principal basis.
(6) Not annualized. (7) Annualized.


                                      2-5

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
                                                MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES

<CAPTION>
                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                      SIX MONTHS                                           -----------------------
                         ENDED
                        6/30/97
                      (UNAUDITED)    1996      1995         1994        1993       1992     1991    1990     1989     1988    1987
                      -----------    ----      ----         ----        ----       ----     ----    ----     ----     ----    ----
Net asset value,            
  beginning of 
<S>                   <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>    
  period............. $  10.34   $  10.22   $   8.98    $ 10.27     $  9.58     $  9.33 $  8.48 $  8.85  $  9.11  $  9.08  $10.07
Income from investment
operations
  Net investment 
  income.............     0.38(1)    0.79(1)    0.83(1,3)  0.72(1,3)   0.66(1,3)   0.66(3) 0.74(3) 0.80(3)  0.99(3)  0.92(3) 1.06(3)
  Net realized and   
  unrealized gain 
  (loss).............     0.09       0.43       1.22      (1.28)       0.84        0.25    0.85   (0.37)   (0.25)   (0.01)  (0.93)
                          ----       ----       ----      ------       ----        ----    ----   ------   ------   ------  ------
    Total from investment   
    operations.......     0.47       1.22       2.05      (0.56)       1.50        0.91    1.59    0.43     0.74     0.91    0.13
                          ----       ----       ----      ------       ----        ----    ----    ----     ----     ----    ----
Less distributions:  
  Dividends from net
  investment income..    (0.41)     (0.78)     (0.81)     (0.73)      (0.66)      (0.66)  (0.74)  (0.80)   (1.00)   (0.88)  (1.12)
  Dividends from net 
  realized gains.....    (0.09)     (0.32)       --         --        (0.15)        --      --      --       --       --      --  
                         ------     ------      ----       ----       ------       ----    ----    ----     ----     ----    ---- 
   Total              
   distributions.....    (0.50)     (1.10)     (0.81)     (0.73)      (0.81)      (0.66)  (0.74)  (0.80)   (1.00)   (0.88)  (1.12)
                         ------     ------     ------     ------      ------      ------  ------  ------   ------   ------  ------
Change in net asset 
value................    (0.03)      0.12       1.24      (1.29)       0.69        0.25    0.85   (0.37)   (0.26)    0.03   (0.99)
                         ------      ----       ----      ------       ----        ----    ----   ------   ------    ----   ------
Net asset value, end 
of period............ $  10.31   $  10.34   $  10.22    $  8.98     $ 10.27     $  9.58 $  9.33 $  8.48  $  8.85  $  9.11  $ 9.08
                      ========   ========   ========    =======     =======     ======= ======= =======  =======  =======  ======
   
Total Return(2)......     4.68%(5)  12.42%     23.54%     (5.47%)     15.90%      10.03%  19.41%   5.14%    8.30%   10.36%   1.12%
    
Ratios/supplemental data:   
  Net assets, end of 
  period (thousands). $157,599   $145,044   $109,046    $74,686     $79,393     $43,090 $21,957 $13,558  $13,947  $11,081  $8,389
Ratio to average net  
assets of:      
   
  Operating expenses.     0.65%(6)   0.65%      0.65%(4)   0.66%       0.65%       0.50%   0.50%   0.50%    0.50%    0.50%   0.50%
    
  Net investment 
  income.............     7.53%(6)   7.80%      8.55%      7.62%       6.71%       7.47%   8.65%   9.26%   10.99%   10.37%  10.90%
Portfolio turnover 
rate.................       90%(5)    191%       147%       181%        169%        166%    269%    318%     340%     262%     67%
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of
    $0.002, $.007, $.006 and $.005 per share, respectively.
(2) Total return information does not reflect expenses that apply to the
    separate accounts or related contracts; inclusion of these charges would
    reduce total return for all periods shown.
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(4) For the year ended December 31, 1995, the ratio of operating expenses to
    average net assets excludes the effect of expense offsets for custodian
    fees; if expense offsets were included, the ratio would not significantly
    differ.
(5) Not annualized. (6) Annualized.

<TABLE>
    
                          STRATEGIC ALLOCATION SERIES
                  (formerly known as the Total Return Series)
    
<CAPTION>
                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                      SIX MONTHS                                           -----------------------
                         ENDED
                        6/30/97
                      (UNAUDITED)    1996     1995        1994        1993      1992      1991    1990      1989     1988    1987
                      -----------    ----     ----        ----        ----      ----      ----    ----      ----     ----    ----
Net asset value,            
  beginning of 
<S>                   <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>    
  period............. $  13.65    $  13.63 $  12.68   $  13.71    $  12.86  $  12.97  $ 11.07  $ 11.05  $  9.68  $  9.87  $  9.85
Income from investment 
operations
  Net investment 
  income.............     0.18        0.32     0.45       0.36(1,3)  0.23(3)    0.37(3)  0.42(3)  0.58(3)  0.51(3)  0.46(3)  0.34(3)
  Net realized and   
  unrealized
  gain (loss)........     1.18        0.91     1.84      (0.56)       1.17      0.99     2.76    (0.02)   (1.38)   (0.24)   (0.91)
                          ----        ----     ----      ------       ----      ----     ----    ------   ------   ------   ------
    Total from investment
    operations.......     1.36        1.23     2.29      (0.20)       1.40      1.36     3.18     0.60     1.89     0.22     1.25
                          ----        ----     ----      ------       ----      ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
Less distributions:  
  Dividends from net
  investment income..    (0.19)      (0.31)   (0.45)     (0.37)      (0.23)    (0.37)   (0.42)   (0.58)   (0.52)   (0.41)   (0.40)
  Dividends from net 
  realized gains.....    (0.17)      (0.90)   (0.89)     (0.46)      (0.32)    (1.10)   (0.86)     --       --       --     (0.83)
                         ------      ------   ------     ------      ------    ------   ------    ----     ----      ---    ------
   Total              
   distributions.....    (0.36)      (1.21)   (1.34)     (0.83)      (0.55)    (1.47)   (1.28)   (0.58)   (0.52)   (0.41)   (1.23)
                         ------      ------   ------     ------      ------    ------   ------   ------   ------   ------   ------
Change in net asset 
value................     1.00        0.02     0.95      (1.03)       0.85      0.11     1.90    (0.02)    1.37    (0.19)    0.02
                          ----        ----     ----      ------       ----      ----     ----    ------    ----    ------    ----
Net asset value, end  
of period............ $  14.65    $  13.65 $  13.63   $  12.68    $  13.71  $  12.86  $ 12.97  $ 11.07  $ 11.05  $  9.68  $  9.87
                      ========    ======== ========   ========    ========  ========  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Total Return(2)......    10.02%(6)    9.05%   18.22%     (1.45%)     11.02%    10.67%   29.44%    5.62%   19.88%    2.33%   12.58%
Ratios/supplemental 
data:
  Net assets, end of 
  period (thousands). $397,239    $374,244 $353,838   $289,083    $256,011  $163,628  $98,415  $62,839  $57,901  $59,109  $68,099
Ratio to average net  
assets of:           
  Operating expenses.     0.69%(7)    0.70%    0.67%(4)   0.74%       0.74%     0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%
  Net investment 
  income.............     2.46%(7)    2.26%    3.28%      2.71%       1.82%     2.90%    3.48%    5.39%    4.73%    4.62%    3.67%
   
Portfolio turnover 
rate.................      252%(6)     287%     170%       220%        269%      326%     255%     302%     302%     314%     359%
    
Average commission 
rate paid(5)......... $ 0.0554    $ 0.0530       N/A        N/A         N/A       N/A      N/A      N/A      N/A      N/A      N/A
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of $0.001
    per share.
(2) Total return information does not reflect expenses that apply to the
    separate accounts or related contracts; inclusion of these charges would
    reduce total return for all periods shown.
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(4) For the year ended December 31, 1995, the ratio of operating expenses to
    average net assets excludes the effect of expense offsets for custodian
    fees; if expense offsets were included, the ratio would not significantly
    differ.
(5) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is required
    to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities trades on
    which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not reflect
    mark-ups, mark-downs or spreads on shares traded on a principal basis.
(6) Not annualized. (7) Annualized.


                                      2-6

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
                                                       INTERNATIONAL SERIES

<CAPTION>
                                                                           
                                          SIX MONTHS                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                         FROM
                                             ENDED                         -----------------------                       INCEPTION
                                            6/30/97                                                                      5/1/90 TO
                                          (UNAUDITED)      1996      1995       1994      1993        1992       1991    12/31/90
                                          -----------      ----      ----       ----      ----        ----       ----    ---------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period..... $  14.52      $  12.70  $  11.85   $  12.21   $   8.82   $  10.17 $  $  9.07   $ 10.00
Income from investment operations        
  Net investment income(4)...............     0.12          0.11      0.12       0.08       0.07(2)    0.09       0.24(2)   0.07(2)
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     1.79          2.25      1.02      (0.07)      3.32      (1.40)      1.53     (0.88)
                                              ----          ----      ----      ------      ----      ------      ----     ------
    Total from investment operations.....     1.91          2.36      1.14       0.01       3.39      (1.31)      1.77     (0.81)
                                              ----          ----      ----       ----       ----      ------      ----     ------
Less distributions:                          (0.22)        (0.19)    (0.04)     (0.03)       --       (0.04)     (0.24)    (0.07)
  Dividends from net investment income...
  Dividends from net realized gains......    (0.37)        (0.33)    (0.25)     (0.34)       --         --       (0.41)      --
  Distributions from paid in capital.....      --            --        --         --         --         --       (0.02)    (0.05)
  In excess of net investment income.....      --          (0.02)      --         --         --         --         --        --
                                              ----         ------     ----       ----       ----       ----       ----      ----
    Total distributions..................    (0.59)        (0.54)    (0.29)     (0.37)       --       (0.04)     (0.67)    (0.12)
                                             ------        ------    ------     ------      ----      ------     ------    ------
Change in net asset value................     1.32          1.82      0.85      (0.36)      3.39      (1.35)      1.10     (0.93)
                                              ----          ----      ----      ------      ----      ------      ----     ------
Net asset value, end of period........... $  15.84      $  14.52  $  12.70   $  11.85   $  12.21   $   8.82    $ 10.17   $  9.07
                                          ========      ========  ========   ========   ========   ========    =======   =======
Total Return(3)..........................    13.31%(6)     18.65%     9.59%      0.03%     38.44%    (12.89%)    19.78%    (8.10%)
Ratios/supplemental data:                
Net assets, end of period (thousands).... $204,133      $172,668  $134,455   $134,627   $ 61,242   $ 13,772    $ 6,119   $ 2,010
Ratio to average net assets of:          
Operating expenses.......................     0.95%(1)      1.04%     1.07%      1.10%      1.15%      1.50%      1.50%     1.50%(1)
Net investment income....................     1.59%(1)      0.80%     0.95%      0.64%      0.49%      1.13%      2.44%     1.82%(1)
Portfolio turnover rate..................       78%(6)       142%      249%       172%       193%        74%       104%       48%(1)
Average commission rate paid(5).......... $ 0.0125      $ 0.0213        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A       N/A
</TABLE>

(1) Annualized.
(2) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of $0.05,
    $0.02 and $0.07, respectively.
(3) Total return information does not reflect expenses that apply to the
    separate accounts or related contracts; inclusion of these charges would
    reduce total return for all periods shown.
(4) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(5) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is required
    to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities trades on
    which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not reflect
    mark-ups, mark-downs or spreads on shares traded on a principal basis.
(6) Not annualized.

<TABLE>
                                                          BALANCED SERIES

<CAPTION>
                                                    SIX MONTHS                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 FROM
                                                       ENDED                    -----------------------               INCEPTION
                                                      6/30/97                                                         5/1/92 TO
                                                    (UNAUDITED)    1996       1995         1994          1993         12/31/92
                                                    -----------    ----       ----         ----          ----         --------
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>     
Net asset value, beginning of period.............   $  12.06     $  12.30   $  10.53     $  11.31      $  10.77       $  10.00
Income from investment operations                
  Net investment income..........................       0.20         0.36       0.40(4)      0.38(2,4)     0.32(2,4)      0.19(4)
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)........       0.97         0.89       2.02        (0.70)         0.60           0.77
                                                        ----         ----       ----        ------         ----           ----
    Total from investment operations.............       1.17         1.25       2.42        (0.32)         0.92           0.96
                                                        ----         ----       ----        ------         ----           ----
Less distributions:                               
  Dividends from net investment income...........      (0.22)       (0.35)     (0.40)       (0.36)        (0.32)         (0.19)
  Dividends from net realized gains..............      (0.36)       (1.14)     (0.25)       (0.10)        (0.06)           --
                                                       ------       ------     ------       ------        ------          ----
    Total distributions..........................      (0.58)       (1.49)     (0.65)       (0.46)        (0.38)         (0.19)
                                                       ------       ------     ------       ------        ------        ------
Change in net asset value........................       0.59        (0.24)      1.77        (0.78)         0.54           0.77
                                                        ----        ------      ----        ------         ----           ----
Net asset value, end of period...................   $  12.65     $  12.06   $  12.30     $  10.53      $  11.31       $  10.77
                                                    ==========   ========    ==========  ========      ========       ========
Total Return(3)..................................       9.77%(7)    10.56%     23.28%       (2.80%)        8.57%          9.72%(7)
Ratios/supplemental data:                        
  Net assets, end of period (thousands)..........   $216,724     $204,285   $193,302     $161,105      $158,144       $ 54,467
Ratio to average net assets of:                  
  Operating expenses.............................       0.69%(1)     0.68%      0.65%(5)     0.69%         0.70%          0.50%(1)
  Net investment income..........................       3.15%(1)     2.93%      3.44%        3.44%         3.16%          3.59%(1)
Portfolio turnover rate..........................         87%(7)      229%       223%         171%          161%           110%(1)
Average commission rate paid(6)..................   $ 0.0548     $ 0.0641         N/A          N/A           N/A            N/A
</TABLE>

(1) Annualized.
(2) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of $0.001
    and $0.001 per share, respectively.
(3) Total return information does not reflect expenses that apply to the
    separate accounts or related contracts; inclusion of these charges would
    reduce total return for all periods shown.
(4) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(5) For the year ended December 31, 1995, the ratio of operating expenses to
    average net assets excludes the effect of expense offsets for custodian
    fees; if expense offsets were included, the ratio would not significantly
    differ.
(6) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is required
    to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities trades on
    which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not reflect
    mark-ups, mark-downs or spreads on shares traded on a principal basis.
(7) Not annualized.


                                      2-7

<PAGE>


<TABLE>

                                              REAL ESTATE SECURITIES SERIES

<CAPTION>
                                                                                    SIX MONTHS                   FROM
                                                                                      ENDED         YEAR       INCEPTION
                                                                                     6/30/97        ENDED      5/1/95 TO
                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)    12/31/96     12/31/95
                                                                                   -----------    --------     --------
<S>                                                                                <C>            <C>          <C>     
Net asset value, beginning of period............................................   $  14.32       $  11.33     $  10.00
Income from investment operations                                               
  Net investment income.........................................................       0.28(3)        0.50(2)      0.33(2)
  Net realized and unrealized gain..............................................       0.78           3.14         1.42
                                                                                       ----           ----         ----
    Total from investment operations............................................       1.06           3.64         1.75
                                                                                       ----           ----         ----
Less distributions:                                                                   (0.18)         (0.50)       (0.33)
  Dividends from net investment income..........................................
  Dividends from net realized gains.............................................      (0.05)         (0.15)       (0.06)
  Tax return of capital.........................................................        --             --         (0.03)
                                                                                       ----           ----        ------
    Total distributions.........................................................      (0.23)         (0.65)       (0.42)
                                                                                      ------         ------       ------
Change in net asset value.......................................................       0.83           2.99         1.33
                                                                                       ----           ----         ----
Net asset value, end of period..................................................   $  15.15      $   14.32     $  11.33
                                                                                   ========      =========     ==========
Total Return(4).................................................................       7.43%(3)      33.09%       17.79%(3)
Ratios/supplemental data:                                                       
  Net assets, end of period (thousands).........................................   $ 38,932      $  22,710     $  8,473
Ratio to average net assets of:                                                 
  Operating expenses............................................................       1.00%(1)       1.00%        1.00%(1)
  Net investment income.........................................................       4.44%(1)       4.36%        4.80%(1)
Portfolio turnover rate.........................................................          6%(3)         21%          10%(3)
Average commission rate paid(5).................................................   $ 0.0482      $  0.0468           N/A
</TABLE>

(1) Annualized.
(2) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of $0.05
    and $0.07 per share, respectively.
(3) Not annualized.
(4) Total return information does not reflect expenses that apply to the
    separate accounts or related contracts; inclusion of these charges would
    reduce total return for the period shown.
(5) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is required
    to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities trades on
    which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not reflect
    mark-ups, mark-downs or spreads on shares traded on a principal basis.
              
<TABLE>
                                                      STRATEGIC THEME SERIES

<CAPTION>
                                                                                                SIX MONTHS         FROM
                                                                                                   ENDED         INCEPTION
                                                                                                  6/30/97       1/29/96 TO
                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)      12/31/96
                                                                                                -----------      --------
<S>                                                                                             <C>             <C>       
Net asset value, beginning of period.......................................................     $   10.98       $    10.00
Income from investment operations                                                                    0.04(2)          0.04(2)
  Net investment income....................................................................
  Net realized and unrealized gain.........................................................          0.72             0.99
                                                                                                     ----             ----
    Total from investment operations.......................................................          0.76             1.03
                                                                                                     ----             ----
Less distributions:                                                                                 (0.03)           (0.04)
  Dividends from net investment income.....................................................
  Tax return of capital....................................................................           --             (0.01)
                                                                                                     ----            ------
    Total distributions....................................................................         (0.03)           (0.05)
                                                                                                    ------           ------
Change in net asset value..................................................................          0.73             0.98
                                                                                                     ----             ----
Net asset value, end of period.............................................................     $   11.71       $    10.98
                                                                                                =========       ==========
Total Return4..............................................................................          6.85%(3)        10.33%(3)
Ratios/supplemental data:                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (thousands)....................................................     $  38,706       $   25,972
Ratio to average net assets of:                                                            
  Operating expenses.......................................................................          1.00%(1)         1.00%(1)
  Net investment income....................................................................          0.69%(1)         0.64%(1)
Portfolio turnover rate....................................................................           336%(3)          391%(3)
Average commission rate paid(5)............................................................     $  0.0589       $   0.0587
</TABLE>

(1) Annualized.
(2) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of $0.02
    per share.
(3) Not annualized.
(4) Total return information does not reflect expenses that apply to the
    separate accounts or related contracts; inclusion of these charges would
    reduce total return for the period shown.
(5) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is required
    to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities trades on
    which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not reflect
    mark-ups, mark-downs or spreads on shares traded on a principal basis.


                                      2-8

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
                                                     ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES

<CAPTION>
   
                                                                                              SIX MONTHS     FROM
                                                                                                ENDED      INCEPTION
                                                                                               6/30/97    9/17/96 TO
                                                                                             (UNAUDITED)   12/31/96
                                                                                             -----------   --------
<S>                                                                                          <C>             <C>      
Net asset value, beginning of period....................................................     $    9.96       $   10.00
Income from investment operations                                                       
  Net investment income.................................................................          0.07(1)         0.05(2)
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)...............................................          0.10           (0.04)
                                                                                                  ----          ------
    Total from investment operations....................................................          0.17            0.01
                                                                                                  ----            ----
Less distributions:

  Dividends from net investment income..................................................         (0.02)          (0.05)
  Dividends from net realized gains.....................................................         (0.01)            --
                                                                                                 ------          ------
    Total distributions.................................................................         (0.03)          (0.05)
                                                                                                 ------          ------
Change in net asset value...............................................................          0.14           (0.04)
                                                                                                  ----           ------
Net asset value, end of period..........................................................     $   10.10       $    9.96
                                                                                             =========       ==========
Total Return(4).........................................................................          1.62%(3)        0.16%(3)
Ratios/supplemental data:                                                               
  Net assets, end of period (thousands).................................................     $  15,179       $  11,585
Ratio to average net assets of:                                                         
  Operating expenses....................................................................          1.25%(1)        1.25%(1)
  Net investment income.................................................................          1.51%(1)        2.40%(1)
Portfolio turnover rate.................................................................             6%(3)           2%(3)
Average commission rate paid(5).........................................................     $  0.0098       $  0.0109
</TABLE>
    

(1) Annualized.
(2) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of $0.03
    per share.
(3) Not annualized.
(4) Total return information does not reflect expenses that apply to the
    separate accounts or related contracts; inclusion of these charges would
    reduce total return for the period shown.
(5) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is required
    to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities trades on
    which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not reflect
    mark-ups, mark-downs or spreads on shares traded on a principal basis.


                         RESEARCH ENHANCED INDEX SERIES
   
            This Series commenced operations as of July 15, 1997;
            accordingly, data for this Series is not yet available.
    



                           ENGEMANN NIFTY FIFTY SERIES
                          SENECA MID-CAP GROWTH SERIES
                         PHOENIX GROWTH & INCOME SERIES
                           PHOENIX VALUE EQUITY SERIES
                          SCHAFER MID-CAP VALUE SERIES

   
            These Series commenced operations as of March 2, 1998;
            accordingly, data for these Series is not yet available.
    

                                      2-9

<PAGE>

INTRODUCTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    This Prospectus describes the shares offered by and the operations of The
Phoenix Edge Series Fund (the "Fund"). The Fund is an open-end management
investment company established as a business trust under the laws of
Massachusetts by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated February 18, 1986
(the "Declaration of Trust"). The Declaration of Trust, as amended, authorizes
the assets and shares of the Fund to be divided into series (the "Series"). Each
Series has a different investment objective, as described on the cover page of
this Prospectus, and is designed to meet different investment needs. In many
respects, each Series operates as if it were a separate mutual fund.
    

    Shares of the Fund are sold to the Phoenix Home Life Variable Accumulation
Account (the "VA Account") to fund the benefits under Variable Accumulation
Annuity Contracts ("Contracts") issued by Phoenix; to the Phoenix Home Life
Variable Universal Life Account (the "VUL Account") to fund the benefits under
Variable Universal Life Insurance Policies ("Policies") also issued by Phoenix;
to the PHL Variable Accumulation Account ("PHL VA Account") to fund benefits
under Contracts issued by PHL Variable; and to the Phoenix Life and Annuity
Variable Universal Life Account (the "PLAC Account") to fund benefits under
Policies issued by PLAC. The VA Account, PHL VA Account, VUL Account and PLAC
VUL Account (collectively the "Accounts") invest in shares of the Fund in
accordance with allocation instructions received from Contract Owners and
Policyowners. Such allocation rights are further described in the accompanying
Prospectus for the Contracts or Policies. Phoenix redeems shares to the extent
necessary to provide benefits under the Contracts and Policies. Phoenix may
establish other separate accounts which may purchase shares in the Fund.

    When making allocations from time to time, a Contract Owner or Policyowner
should understand that investment return will affect benefits and the value of
the Contract or Policy. The accompanying Prospectus for the respective Accounts
contains a description of the relationship between increases or decreases in the
net asset value of Fund shares and any distributions on such shares, and the
benefits provided under the Contract or Policy.

    The Trustees have authority to issue an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest of each Series. An interest in the Fund is limited to the
assets of the Series in which shares are held, and shareholders are entitled to
a pro rata share of all dividends and distributions arising from the net income
and capital gains on the investments of such Series.


   
PHOENIX, PHL VARIABLE AND PLAC
    Shares of the Fund are currently sold to the Accounts as the investment base
for Variable Accumulation Annuity Contracts and Variable Universal Life
Insurance Policies issued by Phoenix, PHL Variable and PLAC. Phoenix is a mutual
life insurance company whose Executive Office is at One American Row, Hartford,
Connecticut 06102-5056, and its main administrative office is at 100 Bright
Meadow Boulevard, Enfield, Connecticut 06083-1900. Its New York principal office
is at 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, New York 12061. Phoenix is the nation's 9th
largest mutual life insurance company and has total assets of approximately
$15.5 billion as of December 31, 1996. Phoenix sells insurance policies and
annuity contracts through its own field force of full time agents and through
brokers. Its operations are conducted in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Canada and Puerto Rico.
    

    PHL Variable is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Phoenix. Its Executive
Office is at One American Row, Hartford, Connecticut 06102-5056 and its main
administrative office is at 100 Bright Meadow Boulevard, Enfield, Connecticut
06083-1900. PHL Variable is a Connecticut stock company. On December 31, 1996,
it had admitted assets of $189.5 million.

    PLAC is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Phoenix. Its Executive Office
is at One American Row, Hartford, Connecticut 06102-5056, and its main
administrative office is at 100 Bright Meadow Boulevard, Enfield, Connecticut
06083-1900. PLAC is a Connecticut stock company originally chartered in Missouri
in March 1996 as Savers Life Insurance Company of America and redomiciled to
Connecticut in April 1997. On December 31, 1996, it had admitted assets of $11.5
million.

    The interests and rights of a Contract Owner or Policyowner in the shares is
subject to the terms of the Contract or Policy and is described in the
accompanying Prospectus for that particular product. The rights of the Accounts
as shareholders should be distinguished from the rights of Contract Owners and
Policyowners described in the accompanying Prospectus and in the Contract or
Policy for that particular product. As long as shares of the Fund are sold only
to the Accounts, the terms "shareholder" or "shareholders" in this Prospectus
refer to the Accounts.

THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS

    The investment adviser of the Money Market, Multi-Sector, Balanced,
Allocation, Growth, International, Theme, Enhanced Index, Nifty Fifty, Seneca
Mid-Cap, Growth & Income, Value and Schafer Mid-Cap Series is Phoenix Investment
Counsel ("PIC" or "Adviser"). PIC is an indirect, less than wholly-owned
subsidiary of Phoenix.

   
    Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with the Fund, PIC delegates certain
investment decisions and research functions with respect to the following series
to the subadviser indicated, for which services each is paid a fee by PIC.
    

Enhanced Index Series       J.P.  Morgan  Investment  Management,
                            Inc. ("J.P. Morgan")
Nifty Fifty Series          Roger  Engemann &  Associates,  Inc.
                            ("Engemann")
Seneca Mid-Cap Series       Seneca  Capital   Management,   LLC
                            ("Seneca")
Schafer Mid-Cap Series      Schafer  Capital  Management,  Inc.
                            ("Schafer")

   
    The investment adviser for the Real Estate Series at its inception was
Phoenix Realty Securities, Inc. ("PRS" or "Adviser"). PRS is a wholly-owned
indirect subsidiary of Phoenix.

    PRS delegates certain investment decisions and research functions with
respect to the Real Estate Series to Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.
("DPIM") for which it is paid a fee by PRS. On March 2, 1998, DPIM purchased the
management rights for the Series from PRS and PRS' contract was assigned to
DPIM.
    

                                      2-10

<PAGE>

    The Asia Series is managed by Phoenix-Aberdeen International Advisors, LLC
("PAIA" or "Adviser"). PAIA is a joint venture between PM Holdings, Inc., a
direct subsidiary of Phoenix, and Aberdeen Fund Managers, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Aberdeen Asset Management plc.

    Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with the Fund, PAIA delegates certain
investment decisions and research functions with respect to the Asia Series to
PIC and to Aberdeen Fund Managers, Inc., for which each is paid a fee by PAIA.

    As compensation for investment management services, the Advisers are
entitled to a fee, payable monthly and based on an annual percentage of the
average aggregate daily net asset values of each Series. These Fund charges and
other expenses are described more fully in the section, "The Fund and Its
Management - Advisory Fees."


OFFERING PRICES
    Shares in each of the Series of the Fund are offered to the Accounts
continuously at the net asset value determined at the close of business on the
day the application is accepted and paperwork is complete and in good working
order. For information on pricing for initial and subsequent purchase payments
under Contracts or Policies, see the accompanying prospectus.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    To the extent that shares are sold to the Accounts in order to fund the
benefits under the Contracts or Policies, the structure of the Fund permits
Contract Owners and Policyowners, within the limitations described in the
Contracts or Policies, to allocate their investments in response to or in
anticipation of changes in market or economic conditions.

    Each Series has a different investment objective and is designed to meet
different investment needs. The differences in objectives and policies among the
Series can be expected to affect the investment return of each Series and the
degree of market and financial risk to which each Series is subject. The
investment objective of each Series is deemed to be a fundamental policy which
may not be changed without the approval of a vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of that Series. Since certain risks are inherent in the
ownership of any security, there can be no assurance that any Series will
achieve its investment objective. The investment policies of each Series also
will affect the rate of portfolio turnover. A high rate of portfolio turnover
generally involves correspondingly greater transaction costs, which must be
borne directly by each Series. The portfolio turnover rate for each Series,
except the Money Market Series (which does not normally pay brokerage
commissions), is included under "Financial Highlights." The rate for several
Series has been, and is expected to be, in excess of 100%; accordingly, such
Series will pay more in brokerage commissions than would be the case if they had
lower portfolio turnover rates. (See "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage.")

MULTI-SECTOR SERIES
    The Multi-Sector Series' investment objective is to seek long-term total
return by investing in a diversified portfolio of high yield (high risk) and
high quality fixed income securities. Distributions of income are reinvested to
purchase additional shares. The Series will seek to achieve its objective by
investing, under normal conditions, at least 80% of the value of the total
assets of the Series in the following sectors of the fixed income securities
markets: high yield (high risk) fixed income securities, (sometimes referred to
as "junk bonds"), high quality fixed income securities, fixed income securities
including preferred stocks, convertible securities, debt obligations, foreign
debt obligations, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, bankers'
acceptances, and government obligations issued or guaranteed by federal, state
or municipal governments or their agencies or instrumentalities. The Series'
remaining assets may be invested in common stock and other equity securities
when such investments are consistent with its primary investment objective or
are acquired as part of a unit consisting of a combination of fixed income
securities and equity securities (see "Other Special Investment Methods").

   
    Higher yields are available ordinarily from securities in the lower rated
categories of recognized rating agencies (Ba to Ca by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. ("Moody's") or BB to CC by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P")) and from
unrated securities of comparable quality. However, the Multi-Sector Series will
not invest in securities in the two lowest rating categories (Ca and C for
Moody's and CC and C for S&P) unless PIC believes that the financial condition
of the issuer, or the protections afforded to the particular securities, is
stronger than otherwise would be indicated by the low ratings. When the
investment objective of this Series can be met by investing in securities in
higher rating categories, such investments will be made. Moreover, the Series
may retain securities whose ratings have changed. The Appendix contains a more
detailed description of such ratings. At June 30, 1997, 51% of the Series'
assets was invested in so-called "investment grade" securities. The average
percentage of assets the Series had invested in each rating category for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 is as follows:

            MOODY'S RATING            RATED   NOT RATED
                 Aaa.............     23.8%     1.7%
                 Aa..............      4.6%     0.0%
                 A...............      4.1%     0.0%
                 Baa.............     18.5%     3.6%
                 Ba..............     19.2%     2.4%
                 B...............     16.6%     1.7%
                 D...............      0.0%     0.6%
                 Not Rated.......     10.4%     0.4%
    

    When a more conservative investment strategy is necessary for temporary
defensive purposes, the Series may retain cash or invest part or all of its
assets in cash equivalents or in other fixed income securities deemed by
management to be consistent with a temporary defensive posture.

    Risk Factors. While the Multi-Sector Series' management will seek to
minimize risk through diversification and continual evaluation of current
developments in interest rates and economic conditions, the market prices of
lower rated securities generally fluctuate more than those of higher rated
securities, and using credit ratings helps to evaluate the safety of principal
and interest but does not assess market risk. Economic downturns and interest
rate increases may cause a higher incidence of lower-rated securities defaults.
Such fluctuations in the market value of portfolio securities subsequent to
their acquisition by the Multi-Sector Series will not normally affect cash

                                      2-11

<PAGE>

income from such securities but will be reflected in the Series' net asset
value. Additionally, with lower rated securities there is a greater possibility
that an adverse change in the financial condition of the issuer, particularly a
highly leveraged issuer, may affect its ability to make payments of income and
principal. Also, because the Series intends to invest primarily in securities in
the lower rating categories, the achievement of its goals will be more dependent
on management's credit analysis ability than would be the case if the Series
were investing in securities in the higher rated categories. Lower-rated
securities may be thinly traded and therefore harder to value and more
susceptible to adverse publicity concerning the issuer. In addition, legislation
may be enacted in the future that could depress the price of lower-rated
securities.

    The Multi-Sector Series may invest in debt obligations that do not make any
interest payments for a specified period of time prior to maturity or until
maturity ("deferred coupon" or "zero coupon" obligations). The value of these
obligations may fluctuate more in response to interest rate changes than would
the value of debt obligations that make current interest payments. In addition,
because the Series will accrue income on these securities prior to the receipt
of each payment, it may have to dispose of portfolio securities to distribute
income to the Accounts for tax purposes. (See the Statement of Additional
Information.)

MONEY MARKET SERIES
    The investment objective of the Money Market Series is to provide maximum
current income consistent with capital preservation and liquidity. The Series
seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a managed portfolio of the
following high quality money market instruments:

    (a) obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the
        United States Government or its agencies, authorities or
        instrumentalities;

    (b) obligations issued by U.S. banks and savings and loan associations (such
        as bankers' acceptances, certificates of deposit and time deposits,
        including dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of U.S.
        banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks) and dollar-denominated
        obligations unconditionally guaranteed as to payment by such banks or
        savings and loan associations, which at the date of investment have
        capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess of $100,000,000 as of
        the date of their most recently published financial statements; and
        obligations of other banks or savings and loan associations if such
        obligations are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
        the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation;

    (c) commercial paper which at the date of investment is issued or guaranteed
        by a company whose commercial paper is rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's
        Corporation or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or F-1 by Fitch's
        Investors Service or, if not rated, is issued or guaranteed by a company
        which at the date of the investment has an outstanding debt issue rated
        AA or higher by Standard & Poor's or Aa or higher by Moody's;

    (d) other corporate obligations maturing in one year or less which at the
        date of investment are rated AA or higher by Standard & Poor's or Aa or
        higher by Moody's; and

    (e) repurchase agreements with recognized securities dealers and member
        banks of the Federal Reserve System with respect to any of the foregoing
        obligations.

    All of the Money Market Series investments will mature in 397 days or less.
In addition, the average maturity of the Series' portfolio securities based on
their dollar value will not exceed 90 days. By limiting the maturity of its
investments, the Money Market Series seeks to lessen the changes in the value of
its assets caused by market factors.

    Generally, investments will be limited to securities rated in the two
highest short-term rating categories by at least two nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations, or by one such organization if only one has
rated the security, and comparable unrated securities. In addition, no more than
5% of the Series' total assets will be invested in securities of any one issuer
or in securities not rated in the highest short-term rating category. Moreover,
no more than the greater of 1% of the Series' total assets or $1 million will be
invested in the securities of any one issuer that are not in the highest
short-term rating category.

    This Series, consistent with its investment objective, will attempt to
maximize yield through portfolio trading. This may involve selling portfolio
instruments and purchasing different instruments to take advantage of
disparities of yields in different segments of the high grade money market or
among particular instruments within the same segment of the market. It is
expected that the Series' portfolio transactions will be generally with issuers
or dealers acting as principal. Accordingly, this Series will normally not pay
any brokerage commissions.

    The value of the securities in the Money Market Series' portfolio can be
expected to vary inversely to changes in prevailing interest rates, with the
amount of such variation depending primarily on the period of time remaining to
maturity of the security. Long-term obligations may fluctuate more in value than
short-term obligations. If interest rates increase after a security is
purchased, the security, if sold, could be sold for a loss. On the other hand,
if interest rates decline after a purchase, the security, if sold, could be sold
at a profit. If, however, the security is held to maturity, no gain or loss will
be realized as a result of interest rate fluctuations, although the day-to-day
valuation of the portfolio could fluctuate. Substantial withdrawals of the
amounts held in the Money Market Series could require it to sell portfolio
securities at a time when a sale might not be favorable. The value of a
portfolio security also may be affected by other factors, including factors
bearing on the creditworthiness of its issuer.

GROWTH SERIES
    The investment objective of the Growth Series is to achieve intermediate and
long-term growth of capital, with income as a secondary consideration. The
Series seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing principally in
common stocks of corporations believed by PIC to offer growth potential over
both the intermediate and the long term. In pursuing capital growth, emphasis is
placed on the selection of securities of well-established corporations with

                                      2-12

<PAGE>

aggressive and experienced managements. This Series may invest not more than 20%
of the market value of its total assets in convertible securities, that is, debt
securities and preferred stocks which are convertible into, or carry the right
to purchase, common stock or other equity securities. It is not intended at this
time that this Series will invest in warrants.

    Although the Growth Series will not make a practice of short-term trading,
purchases and sales of securities will be made whenever necessary to achieve the
investment objective of the Series without regard to the resulting brokerage
costs.

    PIC intends to diversify investments of the Series among a number of
corporations without concentration in any particular industry. When, in the
opinion of the Fund management, a temporary defensive position is warranted, the
Series may maintain part or all of its assets in cash or short-term investments
such as United States Treasury bills and commercial paper; it may also invest in
preferred stocks, nonconvertible bonds, notes, government securities or other
fixed-income securities for temporary defensive purposes.

ALLOCATION SERIES
    The investment objective of the Allocation Series (formerly designated the
"Total Return Series") is to realize as high a level of total rate of return
over an extended period of time as is considered consistent with prudent
investment risk. The Series seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing in three market segments: stocks, bonds, and money market instruments.
In addition to trading techniques described fully in the Statement of Additional
Information, the Series has retained the flexibility to write (sell) covered
call options, to purchase call and put options and to enter into financial
futures contracts.

    The Allocation Series will adjust the mix of investments among the three
market segments to capitalize on perceived variations in return potential
produced by the interaction of changing financial markets and economic
conditions. It is expected that such adjustments normally will be made in a
gradual manner over a period of time. THERE ARE NO MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM
PERCENTAGES AS TO THE AMOUNT OF THE SERIES' ASSETS WHICH MAY BE INVESTED IN EACH
OF THE MARKET SEGMENTS. MAJOR CHANGES IN INVESTMENT MIX MAY OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES
A YEAR OR OVER SEVERAL YEARS, DEPENDING UPON MARKET AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND
EXCEPT FOR RESTRICTIONS NOTED HEREIN AND UNDER "INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS," THE
INVESTMENT ADVISER HAS COMPLETE FLEXIBILITY IN DETERMINING THE AMOUNT AND NATURE
OF COMMON STOCK, DEBT OR MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE SERIES MAY
INVEST.

    Investments in one of the three market segments will be made with a specific
purpose in mind. Investments in the stock segment will be for the purpose of
attempting to achieve a superior total rate of return over an extended period of
time from both capital appreciation and current income. Investments in the bond
segment will be for the purpose of attempting to achieve as high a total rate of
return on an annual basis as is considered consistent with the preservation of
capital values and may include investments of up to 5% of the Series' total
assets in high risk fixed income securities (commonly referred to as "junk
bonds"). Investments in the money market segment will be for the purpose of
attempting to achieve high current income, the preservation of capital, and
liquidity. The types of securities in each of these three market segments in
which the Allocation Series will invest are listed in the Statement of
Additional Information.

    Cash may be held to provide for expenses and anticipated redemption payments
and so that orderly redemption payments may be carried out in accordance with
the Allocation Series' investment policies.

    See Multi-Sector Series and Money Market Series for a description of risks
generally associated with investing in the Allocation Series.

INTERNATIONAL SERIES
    The International Series seeks as its investment objective a high total
return consistent with reasonable risk. It intends to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in an internationally diversified portfolio of equity
securities. It intends to reduce its risk by engaging in hedging transactions
involving options, futures contracts and foreign currency transactions (see
"Other Special Investment Methods"). Investments may be made for capital growth
or for income or any combination thereof for the purpose of achieving a high
overall return.

    There is no limitation on the percentage or amount of the International
Series assets which may be invested for capital growth or income, and therefore
at any particular time the investment emphasis may be placed solely or primarily
on growth of capital or on income. In determining whether the International
Series will be invested for capital growth or income, the Adviser will analyze
the international equity and fixed income markets and seek to assess the degree
of risk and level of return that can be expected from each market. The
International Series will invest primarily in non-United States issuers, and
under normal circumstances, more than 80% of the International Series' total
assets will be invested in non-United States issuers located in not less than
three foreign countries.

    In pursuing its objective, the International Series will invest primarily in
common stocks of established non-United States companies believed to have
potential for capital growth, income or both. However, there is no requirement
that the International Series invest exclusively in common stocks or other
equity securities. The International Series may invest in other types of
securities including, but not limited to, convertible securities, preferred
stocks, bonds, notes and other debt securities of companies (including
Euro-currency instruments and securities) or obligations of domestic or foreign
governments and their political subdivisions, and in foreign currency
transactions. The Series may invest up to 10% of its total assets in bonds
(sometimes referred to as "junk bonds") considered to be less than investment
grade (but which are not in default at the time of investment), which may
subject the Series to risks attendant to such bonds (see "Risk Factors" below).
When the Adviser believes that the total return potential in debt securities
equals or exceeds the potential return on equity securities, the Series may
substantially increase its holdings in debt securities. The International Series
may establish and maintain part or all of its assets in reserves for temporary
defensive purposes or to enable it to take advantage of buying opportunities.
The International Series reserves may be invested in domestic as well as foreign
short-term money market instruments including, but not limited to, government
obligations, certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, time deposits,
commercial paper, short-term corporate 

                                      2-13
<PAGE>

debt securities and repurchase agreements. The International Series may also
engage in certain options transactions, and enter into futures contracts and
related options for hedging purposes, invest in repurchase agreements and lend
portfolio securities (see "Other Special Investment Methods").

    The International Series also may invest in the securities of other
investment companies subject to the limitations contained in the 1940 Act (see
"Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information). In
certain countries, investments may be made only by investing in other investment
companies that, in turn, are authorized to invest in the securities that are
issued in such countries. The Fund's purchase of securities of such other
investment companies may result in the layering of expenses such that
shareholders indirectly bear a proportionate part of the expenses for such
investment companies including operating costs and investment advisory and
administrative fees.

    The International Series makes investments in various countries. Under
normal circumstances, business activities in a number of different foreign
countries will be represented in the International Series' investments. The
International Series may, from time to time, have more than 25% of its assets
invested in any major industrial or developed country which in the view of the
Adviser poses no unique investment risk. The International Series may purchase
securities of companies, wherever organized, which have their principal
activities and interests outside the United States. Under exceptional economic
or market conditions abroad, the International Series may, for temporary
defensive purposes, invest all or a major portion of its assets in U.S.
government obligations or securities of companies incorporated in and having
their principal activities in the United States. The International Series also
may invest its reserves in domestic short-term money-market instruments as
described above.

    In determining the appropriate distribution of investments among various
countries and geographic regions, the Adviser ordinarily will consider the
following factors: prospects for relative economic growth among foreign
countries; expected levels of inflation; relative price levels of the various
capital markets; government policies influencing business conditions; the
outlook for currency relationships and the range of individual investment
opportunities available to the international investor.

    The International Series may make investments in developing countries, which
involve exposure to economic structures that are generally less diverse and
mature than in the United States, and to political systems which may be less
stable. A developing country can be considered to be a country which is in the
initial stages of its industrialization cycle. In the past, markets of
developing countries have been more volatile than the markets of developed
countries; however, such markets often have provided higher rates of return to
investors. The Adviser believes that these characteristics can be expected to
continue in the future.

    Generally, the Series will not trade in securities for short-term profits
but, when circumstances warrant, securities may be sold without regard to the
length of time held.

    Risk Factors. There are substantial and different risks involved which
should be carefully considered by any investor considering foreign investments.
For example, there is generally less publicly available information about
foreign companies than is available about companies in the United States.
Foreign companies are generally not subject to uniform audit and financial
reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those in the
United States. In addition, if it should become necessary, the Fund could
encounter difficulties involving legal processes abroad.

    Foreign securities involve currency risks. Exchange rates are determined by
forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, and these forces
are in turn affected by a range of economic, political, financial, governmental
and other factors. Exchange rate fluctuations can affect the Portfolio's net
asset value and dividends either positively or negatively depending upon whether
foreign currencies are appreciating or depreciating in value relative to the
U.S. dollar. Exchange rates fluctuate over both the short and long term. The
U.S. dollar value of a foreign security tends to decrease when the value of the
dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated
and tends to increase when the value of the dollar falls against such currency.
Fluctuations in exchange rates also may affect the earning power and asset value
of the foreign entity issuing the security. Dividend and interest payments may
be repatriated based on the exchange rate at the time of disbursement, and
restrictions on capital flows may be imposed. Losses and other expenses may be
incurred in converting between various currencies in connection with purchases
and sales of foreign securities.

    Foreign stock markets are generally not as developed or efficient as those
in the United States. In most foreign markets, volume and liquidity are less
than in the United States and, at times, volatility of price can be greater than
in the United States. Fixed commissions on foreign stock exchanges are generally
higher than the negotiated commissions on United States exchanges. There is
generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign stock exchanges,
brokers and companies than in the United States.

    There also is the possibility of adverse changes in investment or exchange
control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the
removal of funds or other assets, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments which could adversely affect investments, assets or securities
transactions of the International Series in some foreign countries. The
International Series is not aware of any investment or exchange control
regulations which might substantially impair the operations of the Series as
described, although this could change at any time.

    Particular risks are posed by investments in third world countries or
so-called "emerging markets." These securities may be especially volatile based
on relative economic, political and market conditions present in these
countries. The economics of developing countries generally are heavily dependent
upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be
adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in
relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated
by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have been and may
continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with
which they trade. Certain emerging market countries are either comparatively
undeveloped or are in the process of becoming developed and may consequently be
economically based on a relatively few or closely interdependent industries. A
high proportion of the shares of many emerging market 

                                      2-14

<PAGE>

issuers also may be held by a limited number of large investors trading
significant blocks of securities. While the Adviser will strive to be sensitive
to publicized reversals of economic conditions, political unrest and adverse
changes in trading status, unanticipated political and social developments may
affect the values of a Portfolio's investments in such countries and the
availability of additional investments in such countries.

    For many foreign securities, there are U.S. dollar-denominated American
Depository Receipts ("ADRs"), which are traded in the United States on exchanges
or over the counter and are sponsored and issued by domestic banks. ADRs
represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a
domestic bank or a correspondent bank. ADRs do not eliminate all the risk
inherent in investing in the securities of foreign issuers. However, by
investing in ADRs rather than directly in foreign issuers' stock, the
International Series can avoid currency risks during the settlement period for
either purchases or sales. In general, there is a large, liquid market in the
United States for many ADRs. The information available for ADRs is subject to
the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards of the domestic
market or exchange on which they are traded, which standards are more uniform
and more exacting than those to which many foreign issuers may be subject. The
International Series also may invest in European Depository Receipts ("EDRs"),
which are receipts evidencing an arrangement with a European bank similar to
that for ADRs and are designed for use in the European securities markets. EDRs
are not necessarily denominated in the currency of the underlying security.

    The dividends and interest payable on certain of the International Series'
foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing
the net amount available for distribution to the International Series'
shareholders. Investors should understand that the expense ratio of the
International Series can be expected to be higher than those of investment
companies investing in domestic securities since the costs of operation are
higher.

    Since the International Series may invest up to 10% of its total assets in
bonds considered to be less than investment grade, it may be exposed to greater
risks than if it did not invest in such bonds. With lower rated bonds, there is
a greater possibility that an adverse change in the financial condition of the
issuer may affect its ability to pay principal and interest. See "Risk Factors"
described in connection with the Multi-Sector Series for additional information
regarding investing in lower rated securities.

BALANCED SERIES
    The Balanced Series seeks as its investment objectives reasonable income,
long-term capital growth and conservation of capital. The Balanced Series
intends to invest based on combined considerations of risk, income, capital
enhancement and protection of capital value.

    The Balanced Series may invest in any type or class of security. Normally,
the Balanced Series will invest in common stocks and fixed income securities;
however, it also may invest in securities convertible into common stocks. At
least 25% of the value of its assets will be invested in fixed income senior
securities. The overall economic and financial outlook determines the allocation
of assets between fixed income and common stock investments. Fixed income
investments are typically made in high quality, lower risk securities. Common
stock investments are made in companies with intermediate and long-term earnings
growth potential such as are invested in by the Growth Series. The Series
attempts to invest in common stocks belonging to fundamentally attractive
sectors and industries and strives to be overweighted in these areas relative to
their representation in broad market indices such as the Standard & Poor's 500.
The current outlook and the asset allocation are continuously reviewed.

    The Series may also engage in certain options transactions and enter into
financial futures contracts and related options for hedging purposes and may
invest in deferred or zero coupon debt obligations. (See "Other Special
Investment Methods" and the Statement of Additional Information.)

    In implementing the investment objectives of this Series, management will
select securities believed to have potential for the production of current
income, with emphasis on securities that also have potential for capital
enhancement. In an effort to protect its assets against major market declines,
or for other temporary defensive purposes, the Balanced Series may actively
pursue a policy of retaining cash or investing part or all of its assets in cash
equivalents, such as government securities and high grade commercial paper.

REAL ESTATE SERIES
    The Real Estate Series seeks as its investment objective capital
appreciation and income with approximately equal emphasis. It intends under
normal circumstances to invest in marketable securities of publicly traded real
estate investment trusts ("REITs") and companies that are principally engaged in
the real estate industry. Under normal circumstances, the Series intends to
invest at least 75% of the value of its assets in these securities.

    REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in income
producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. Generally,
REITs can be classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or hybrid REITs. Equity
REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive
income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize
capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage
REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive
income from the collection of interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the
characteristics of both equity REITs and mortgage REITs. The Series intends to
emphasize investment in equity REITs.

   
    In determining whether an issuer is "principally engaged" in the real estate
industry, the Adviser seeks companies which derive at least 50% of their gross
revenues or net profits from the ownership, development, construction,
financing, management or sale of commercial, industrial or residential real
estate. The equity securities of real estate companies considered for purchase
by the Series will consist of shares of beneficial interest, marketable common
stock, rights or warrants to purchase common stock, and securities with common
stock characteristics such as preferred stock and debt securities convertible
into common stock.
    

    The Real Estate Series also may invest up to 25% of its total assets in (a)
marketable debt securities of companies principally engaged in the real estate
industry; (b) mortgage-backed securities such as mortgage pass-through
certificates, real estate mortgage investment

                                      2-15
<PAGE>

 conduit ("REMIC") certificates and collateralized mortgage obligations
("CMOs"); or (c) short-term investments listed below.

   
    The Real Estate Series invests in debt securities only if, at the date of
investment, they are rated within the four highest grades as determined by
Moody's (Aaa, Aa, A or Baa) or by S&P (AAA, AA, A or BBB) or, if not rated or
rated under a different system, are judged by the Adviser to be of equivalent
quality to debt securities so rated. Securities rated Baa or BBB are medium
grade investment obligations that may have speculative characteristics. Changes
in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a
weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments in the case of such
obligations than is the case for higher grade securities. The Series may, but is
not obligated to, dispose of debt securities whose credit quality falls below
investment grade. Unrated debt securities may be less liquid than comparable
rated debt securities and may involve somewhat greater risk than rated debt
securities.

    For temporary defensive purposes (as when market conditions in real estate
securities are extremely adverse such that the Adviser believes there are
extraordinary risks associated with investment therein), the Series may invest
up to 100% of its total assets in short-term investments such as money market
instruments consisting of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; repurchase agreements;
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances issued by banks or savings and
loan associations having net assets of at least $500 million as of the end of
their most recent fiscal year; high-grade commercial paper rated at time of
purchase, in the top two categories by a national rating agency or determined to
be of comparable quality by the Adviser at the time of purchase; and other long-
and short-term instruments which are rated A or higher by S&P or Moody's at the
time of purchase.
    

    Risk Factors. The Real Estate Series is non-diversified under the federal
securities laws. As a non-diversified portfolio, there is no restriction under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") on the percentage of assets
that may be invested at any time in the securities of any one issuer. To the
extent that the Real Estate Series is not fully diversified, it may be more
susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory developments affecting
a single issuer than would be the case if it were more broadly diversified. In
addition, investments by the Real Estate Series in securities of companies
providing mortgage servicing will be subject to the risks associated with
refinancing and their impact on servicing rights.


    Although the Real Estate Series does not invest directly in real estate, it
does invest primarily in real estate securities and accordingly, the value of
shares of the Real Estate Series will fluctuate in response to changes in
economic conditions within the real estate industry. Risks associated with the
direct ownership of real estate and with the real estate industry in general
include, among other things, possible declines in the value of real estate;
risks related to general and local economic conditions; possible lack of
availability of mortgage funds; over-building; extended vacancies of properties;
increases in competition, property taxes and operating expenses; changes in
zoning laws; costs resulting from the clean-up of, and liability to third
parties for damages resulting from, environmental problems; casualty or
condemnation losses; uninsured damages from flood, earthquakes or other natural
disasters; limitations on and variations in rents; dependency on property
management skill; the appeal of properties to tenants; and changes in interest
rates.

   
    Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks
associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs
may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the
REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit
extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, and
are subject to the risks of financing projects. The Series may invest in new or
unseasoned REIT issuers and it may be difficult or impossible for the Adviser to
ascertain the value of each of such REIT's underlying assets, management
capabilities and growth prospects. In addition, REITs are subject to heavy cash
flow dependency, default by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibilities
of failing to qualify for the exemption from tax or distributed income under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and failing to maintain
their exemptions from the 1940 Act. REITs whose underlying assets include
long-term health care properties, such as nursing, retirement and assisted
living homes may be impacted by federal regulations concerning the health care
industry. The Series will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any
expenses paid by the Series itself.
    

    REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are subject to interest rate risks. When
interest rates decline, the value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate
obligations usually rises. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a
REIT's investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. In
contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset
periodically, yields on a REIT's investment in such loans will gradually align
themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value of
such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate
fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.

    In addition, investing in REITs involves risks similar to those associated
with investing in small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited
financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may
be more subject to abrupt or erratic price movements than larger capitalization
stocks included in the S&P 500 Index.

THEME SERIES
    The Theme Series seeks as its investment objective long-term appreciation of
capital through investing in securities of companies that the Adviser believes
are particularly well positioned to benefit from cultural, demographic,
regulatory, social or technological changes worldwide. Examples of thematic
investing would include investing in oil and gas exploration companies during
the energy shortage years of the late 1970s, owning companies which benefited
from lower inflation trends during the early 1980s, investing in companies
acquiring cellular franchises in the late 1980s and technology companies during
the 1990s.

    The Adviser will not concentrate its investments in amounts greater than 25%
of the assets of the Series in any particular "industry(ies)" or group(s) of
"industries" without shareholder approval. In determining when and whether to
invest in particular industries, the Adviser will establish strategic (major
changes affecting 

                                      2-16

<PAGE>

markets for prolonged periods) and tactical (focused, short-term) investment
themes. Investment themes shall generally reflect trends which appear likely to
drive stocks with similar technologies and products or which embody broad
social, economic, political and technological considerations; offer substantial
appreciation potential; present a visionary idea or creative solution; and
exhibit some independence from economic cycles. The Adviser may change
investment themes once it has determined that an investment theme has become
saturated or fully exploited. The Adviser may pursue one or more investment
themes at any time.

    The Adviser will seek to identify companies which, in addition to being
considered well positioned to benefit from investment themes identified, are
also believed to possess attributes such as, but not limited to, good financial
resources, satisfactory return on capital, enhanced industry position and
superior management skills.

    The Theme Series also may invest in preferred stocks, investment grade bonds
(Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating Baa or higher or Standard & Poor's
Ratings Group rating BBB or higher), convertible preferred stocks and
convertible debentures if in the judgment of the Adviser the investment would
further its investment objective. The Series may also engage in certain options
transactions and enter into financial futures contracts and related options for
hedging purposes. The Series also may invest up to 35% of its assets in the
securities of foreign issuers. See "Other Special Investment Methods." Each
security held will be monitored to determine whether it is contributing to the
basic objective of long-term appreciation of capital.

    For temporary defensive purposes (as when market conditions for growth
stocks are adverse), investments may be made in fixed income securities with or
without warrants or conversion features. In addition, for such temporary
defensive purposes, the Series may pursue a policy of retaining cash or
investing part or all of its assets in cash equivalents. When the Series' assets
are held in cash or cash equivalents, it is not investing in securities intended
to meet the Series' investment objective.

    Risk Factors. To the extent that the Series invests in a single investment
theme, it may be more susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory
developments than would be the case if it invested in a broader spectrum of
themes. In addition, the Series' investments in common stocks of companies with
limited operating history may result in higher volatility in returns. Further,
the successful effectuation of the thematic investment strategy used by the
Adviser is dependent upon the Adviser's ability to anticipate emerging market
trends, exploit such investment opportunities and to thereafter divest of such
securities upon saturation. No assurances can be given that the investment
strategies utilized will positively correlate with any or all such marketplace
trends or that other, possibly more profitable, investment trends could be
overlooked.

ASIA SERIES
    The investment objective of the Asia Series is to provide long term capital
appreciation. It is intended that this Series will achieve its objective by
investing under normal market conditions at least 65% of its total assets in a
diversified portfolio of common stocks, convertible securities and preferred
stocks of issuers organized and principally operating in Asia, excluding Japan
(i.e., companies which derive a significant proportion (at least 50%) of their
revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made or services
performed in such countries or which have at least 50% of their assets situated
in such countries) and whose principal securities are actively traded on
recognized stock exchanges of such countries. The Series does not intend to
invest in securities which are traded in markets in Japan or in countries
organized under the laws of Japan.

   
    The Series will invest in countries having more established markets in
regions of Asian countries. The Asian countries to be represented in the Series
ordinarily will consist of three or more of the following countries: China, Hong
Kong, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand. If deemed appropriate, the Series may
invest in South Pacific nations such as Australia and New Zealand. There is no
requirement that the Series, at any given time, invest in any one particular
country or in all of the countries listed above or in any other Asian countries
or other developing markets that are open to foreign investment. In determining
the appropriate distribution of investments among various countries and
geographic regions, the Adviser ordinarily will consider the following factors:
prospects for relative economic growth among Asian countries; expected levels of
inflation; relative price levels of the various capital markets; governmental
policies influencing business conditions; the outlook for currency relationships
and the range of individual investment opportunities available to the
international investor. The Series may make investments in developing or
emerging market countries, which involve exposure to economic structures that
are generally less diverse and mature than in the United States, and to
political systems which may be less stable. A developing country can be
considered to be a country which is in the initial stages of its
industrialization cycle. In the past, markets of developing countries have been
more volatile than the markets of developed countries; however, such markets
often have provided higher rates of return to investors.
    

    In certain countries, investments may be made only by investing in other
investment companies that, in turn, are authorized to invest in the securities
that are issued in such countries. The Series may therefore invest in the
securities of other investment companies subject to the limitations contained in
the 1940 Act (see "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional
Information). The Series' purchase of the securities of other investment
companies (and closed-end companies) results in the layering of expenses
including operating costs, investment advisory and administrative fees.

    The Series may establish and maintain reserves of up to 100% of its assets
for temporary defensive purposes under abnormal market or economic conditions.
The Series' reserves may be invested in domestic as well as foreign short-term
money market instruments including, but not limited to, government obligations,
certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, time deposits, commercial paper,
short-term corporate debt securities and repurchase agreements. When the Series'
assets are held in cash or cash equivalents, it is not investing in securities
intended to meet the Series' investment objective.

    See International Series for a description of risks associated with foreign
investments.

                                      2-17
<PAGE>

    Additional discussion regarding risks involved in investing in the Series
are described in the "Other Special Investment Methods" section below.

ENHANCED INDEX SERIES
    The investment objective of the Enhanced Index Series is to seek high total
return by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of
large and medium capitalization companies within market sectors reflected in the
S&P 500. Under normal market conditions, the Series shall invest at least 80% of
its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities. The Series seeks to
achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of undervalued
common stock and other equity securities which appear to offer growth potential
and an overall volatility of return similar to that of the S&P 500.

    The S&P 500 is a market weighted compilation of 500 common stocks selected
on a statistical basis by Standard & Poor's Corporation. The S&P 500 is
typically composed of issues in the industrial, financial, public utilities and
transportation sectors. Most stocks that comprise the S&P 500 are traded on the
New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), although some are traded on the American Stock
Exchange and in the over-the-counter market.

    The Adviser and/or Subadviser will seek to reduce the Series' volatility
relative to the S&P 500 by attempting to generally match the Series' equities
holdings to various risk characteristics of the S&P 500 such as market
capitalization, weightings, and diversification. The Subadviser uses fundamental
analysis and systematic stock valuation to exclude stocks within economic
sectors which appear to be extremely overvalued. See "Other Special Investment
Methods."

    The Series may retain cash or invest part or all of its assets in money
market instruments and cash equivalents for temporary or defensive purposes.
Money market instruments sought for investment for such purposes include
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its
instrumentalities or agencies, commercial paper, bank obligations, repurchase
agreements and other debt obligations of the U.S. Government and foreign
issuers.

    Risk Factors. While the Adviser shall seek to reduce volatility relative to
the S&P 500 through diversification and continual evaluation of index equities,
the value of the Series assets are expected to positively correlate with changes
in the S&P 500 and the stock market generally. Consequently, economic downturns
and interest rate increases may cause a precipitous decrease in the value of the
Series holdings.

    The Series commenced operations on July 15, 1997 based upon an initial
capitalization of $15 million provided by Phoenix. The ability of the Series to
raise additional capital for investment purposes may directly affect the
spectrum of portfolio holdings and performance.


NIFTY FIFTY SERIES
    The Nifty Fifty Series seeks its objective through investment in
approximately 50 different securities which the Adviser believes represent the
best potential to achieve long-term growth of capital. Dividend and interest
income to be received from portfolio securities is largely incidental.

    Under normal market conditions, it is expected that at least 75% of the
Nifty Fifty Series' assets will be invested in common stocks of high-quality
growth companies (i.e., companies which generally exceed $50 million in annual
net income) which, at the time of investment, would satisfy the applicable
listing requirements of the NYSE with respect to demonstrated earning power,
years in operation, number of publicly held shares, and net tangible assets.

    It is expected that the remaining portion of the Nifty Fifty Series'
investment portfolio will be invested in common stocks of corporations with
rapidly growing earnings per share or in common stocks of corporations that are
believed to be undervalued by other criteria used by the Adviser. Some of these
companies may be unseasoned, although others may be well-known and established.

    While the Nifty Fifty Series anticipates being fully invested at all times,
except for temporary defensive purposes, it may for short periods of time have
more or less than 50 different securities while it is establishing or
eliminating a particular position.

    The Nifty Fifty Series may invest in the securities of companies listed on
any exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, and is expected to invest
principally in common stocks. The Series' investments may also include, to a
limited extent, preferred stocks, warrants, and convertible debt obligations, if
deemed appropriate by the Adviser in meeting the Series' objective.

    The Nifty Fifty Series may invest in foreign securities, but typically less
than 5% of its assets.

   
    Risk Factors. Many of the companies of the Nifty Fifty Series' investment
portfolio may be considered small (i.e., less than $50 million in annual net
income), and the volatility of price movements of the securities of such
companies is likely to be greater than that of the S&P 500. Since this Series
contains securities of a limited number of companies, this Series may be more
sensitive to changes in the market value of a single issuer or industry in its
portfolio; therefore, the net asset value per share of the Nifty Fifty Series
may fluctuate substantially, and the Series may not be appropriate for
short-term investors.
    

SENECA MID-CAP SERIES
    The Seneca Mid-Cap Series seeks appreciation greater than that of the S&P
Mid-Cap Index. The Seneca Mid-Cap Series invests primarily in common stocks of
growth companies that meet certain fundamental standards and that the Adviser
believes have the potential for above average market appreciation. This Series
generally invests at least 65% of its assets in common stocks of companies with
market capitalizations between $500 million and $5 billion, although it may at
times have significant investments in companies with higher or lower market
capitalizations.

   
    In evaluating companies' potential for market appreciation, the Adviser
seeks companies that, among other things, it believes will demonstrate greater
long-term earnings growth than the average company included in the S&P 500
or, the S&P Mid-Cap Index. This approach is based on the belief that growth in a
company's earnings will correlate with growth in the price of its stock. The
Adviser seeks to identify companies that have the most attractive earnings
prospects and favorable valuations. Although this analysis stresses the
long-term potential for earnings growth, this Series may buy securities in
anticipation of relatively short-term price gains and may engage in other
opportunistic trading activities.
    

                                      2-18

<PAGE>

    This Series may also invest in preferred stocks, warrants, and debt
instruments, including bonds convertible into common stocks. When the Adviser
determines that market conditions warrant, the Series may invest without limit
in cash and cash equivalents for temporary defensive purposes, although this is
not expected to occur routinely. The Series may engage in hedging transactions
using, among other things, options and futures contracts.

    The Series may invest as much as 20% of its assets in foreign securities if
those securities meet the same criteria for the Series' investments in general.
At times the Series may have no foreign investments. Generally, the Series'
foreign investments will be made through American depositary receipts ("ADRs")
or stocks of foreign issuers that are traded directly on U.S. securities
exchanges or in the Nasdaq Stock Market.

    Risk Factors. As this Series invests primarily in common stocks, its
investments are subject to stock market price volatility. The Series is intended
for investors who have the perspective, patience, and financial ability to take
on above-average stock market volatility in pursuit of long-term capital growth.
Prices of securities issued by medium-capitalization companies are often more
volatile than those of large, well-established companies, in part because of the
relatively fewer shares available and the potential for developments in a
smaller company's business to have a relatively greater impact on its earnings
and revenues than developments in the business of larger companies. In addition,
the risk of insolvency (with attendant losses to shareholders) is greater for
smaller companies than for larger companies. As a result, because of its
investment focus on companies with medium-capitalization, the Seneca Mid-Cap
Series' performance can be expected to be more volatile.

GROWTH & INCOME SERIES
    The Growth & Income Series' investment objective is to seek dividend growth,
current income, and capital appreciation by investing in common stocks. Under
normal circumstances, the Series is designed to seek a total return that exceeds
the total return of the S&P 500 and a dividend yield that exceeds the S&P 500's
dividend yield. Under normal circumstances, at least 65% of the Series' assets
will be invested in common stock or other equity securities; however, it is the
intention of the Adviser to be fully invested in equity securities.

    The Adviser utilizes a quantitative value strategy in pursuit of the Series'
investment objective. Quantitative value is an active management strategy which
involves selection of securities primarily from the equity securities of the
1,500 largest companies traded in the United States, ranked by market
capitalization. The Adviser optimizes the portfolio to achieve a desired balance
of risk and return potential, including a targeted yield that exceeds the yield
of the S&P 500. This strategy seeks securities of companies relatively
undervalued and with improving fundamentals.

    The Series' management strategy may cause its portfolio to be more heavily
weighted in some industries than in others. However, the Series will not invest
25% or more of its total assets in securities of companies whose principal
business activities are in the same industry.

VALUE SERIES
    The Value Series' primary investment objective is to seek long-term capital
appreciation and its secondary objective is to seek current income by investing
in a diversified portfolio of common stocks. The Series seeks to achieve its
objective by investing in common stocks that meet certain quantitative standards
that in the judgment of the Adviser indicates above average financial soundness
and intrinsic value relative to price. Under normal market conditions, at least
65% of the Series' total assets will be invested in common stocks.

    The Adviser applies a selection process which selects stocks that, at the
time of purchase, meet certain investment criteria relating to price, dividend
yield, going concern value and debt levels. In selecting the securities, the
Adviser screens a universe of over 2,500 companies for the Value Series. From
this universe, the Adviser anticipates that only a few hundred companies will
meet one or more of its investment criteria. Each of these companies is analyzed
on the basis of the Adviser's projections of the companies' growth in earnings
and dividends, earnings momentum, and under valuation based on a dividend
discount model. Target prices and value ranges are developed from this analysis
and portfolio selection is made from among the top-rated securities. The
securities selected for the Series are generally traded on the NYSE, the
American Stock Exchange and in over-the-counter markets.

    A security normally will be sold once it reaches its target price, when
negative changes occur with respect to the company or its industry, or when
there is significant change in the security with respect to one or more of the
investment criteria. The Series may at times continue to hold equity securities
that no longer meet the criteria but that are believed suitable in view of the
Series' objectives.

   
SCHAFER MID-CAP SERIES
    The Schafer Mid-Cap Series' primary investment objective is long-term
capital appreciation, and portfolio securities are selected primarily with a
view to achievement of this objective. The Series' primary objective is also a
fundamental policy of the Series and may not be changed without shareholder
approval. Current income is a secondary objective in the selection of
investments. This secondary objective is not a fundamental policy of the Series
and may be changed by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees without a
vote of the shareholders.
    

    The policy of the Series is to invest in securities which are believed by
the Adviser to offer the possibility of increase in value, for the most part
common stocks of established companies having a strong financial position and a
low stock market valuation at the time of purchase (as measured by
price/earnings ratios as compared with average price/earnings ratios of major
market indices, e.g., S&P 500) in relation to investment value (as measured by
prospective earnings and dividend growth rates as compared with market averages
of such rates). Investments are then monitored by the Series' Adviser for price
movement and earnings developments. Once a security is purchased, it will
generally be held in the portfolio until it no longer meets the Series'
financial or valuation criteria as determined by the Series' Adviser.

    The Series expects to purchase and sell securities at such times as it deems
to be in the best interest of its shareholders. Although there may be some
short-term portfolio turnover, securities are generally 

                                      2-19
<PAGE>

purchased which the Adviser believes will appreciate in value over the long
term. The Series anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate should not
significantly exceed 50%. The Series, however, has not placed any limit on its
rate of portfolio turnover and securities may be sold without regard to the time
they have been held when, in the opinion of the Adviser, investment
considerations warrant such action.

    The Series does not concentrate its investments in any particular industry
or group of industries, but diversifies its holdings among as many different
companies and industries as seems appropriate in the light of conditions
prevailing at any given time.

    Other than as considered appropriate for cash reserves, the Series will
generally maintain a fully invested position in common stocks of publicly-held
companies, primarily in stocks of companies listed on a national securities
exchange and other equity securities (common stocks or securities convertible
into common stocks). Investments may also be made in debt securities which are
convertible into equity securities and preferred stocks which are convertible
into common stock and in warrants or other rights to purchase common stock,
which in each case are considered equity securities by the Adviser. The Adviser
rarely engages in market timing by shifting the portfolio or a significant
portion thereof in or out of the market in anticipation of market fluctuations.
Although the Series' portfolio will normally be fully invested in equity
securities as described above, a portion of its assets may be held from time to
time in cash or cash equivalents (e.g., short-term money market securities such
as U.S. Treasury bills, prime-rated commercial paper, certificates of deposit,
variable rate demand notes, or repurchase agreements) when the Adviser is unable
to identify attractive equity investments.

    The Series expects to invest primarily in the securities of U.S. issuers,
although it may also invest up to 20% of its assets in securities of foreign
issuers, or depository receipts for such securities, which are traded in a U.S.
market or are available through a U.S. broker or dealer, regardless of whether
such securities or depository receipts are traded in U.S. dollars, and which
meet the criteria for investment selection set forth above. See International
Series for a description of risks associated with foreign investments.


OTHER SPECIAL INVESTMENT METHODS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
    Each Series may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is
a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted
into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a
different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or
formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest
generally paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred stock until
the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged.
Convertible securities have several unique investment characteristics such as
(1) higher yields than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable
nonconvertible securities, (2) a lesser degree of fluctuation in value than the
underlying stock since they have fixed income characteristics and (3) the
potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common
stock increases. Up to 5% of each Series' assets may be invested in convertible
securities that are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "junk"
securities). Such securities present greater credit and market risks than
investment grade securities. A convertible security might be subject to
redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible
security's governing instrument. If a convertible security held by a Series is
called for redemption, the Series may be required to permit the issuer to redeem
the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third
party.

   
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
    The Money Market, Real Estate, International, Theme, Enhanced Index, Nifty 
Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap, Schafer Mid-Cap, Growth & Income, Value and Asia Series
may invest in repurchase agreements. However, no more than 10% of a Series' net
assets will be invested in repurchase agreements having maturities of more than
seven days. A repurchase agreement is a transaction where a Series buys a
security at one price and the seller simultaneously agrees to buy that same
security back at a higher price. Repurchase agreements will be entered into with
commercial banks, brokers and dealers considered by the Board of Trustees and
the Adviser acting at the Board's direction, to be creditworthy. In addition,
the repurchase agreements are always fully collateralized by the underlying
instrument and are marked to market every business day. However, the use of
repurchase agreements involves certain risks such as default by, or insolvency
of, the other party to the transaction.
    


OPTIONS
    The Multi-Sector, Money Market, Growth, Allocation, Balanced, International,
Theme, Enhanced Index, Seneca Mid-Cap, Growth & Income, Value and Asia Series
may write (sell) covered call options on securities owned by them, including
securities into which convertible securities are convertible, provided that such
call options are listed on a national securities exchange. Generally, when a
Series writes a covered call option, it will acquire the underlying security or
will have absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without
additional consideration upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by
the Series. The Money Market, Growth and Multi-Sector Series may only purchase
call options for the purpose of terminating a call option previously written.
The Allocation, Balanced, International, Value, Growth & Income, Seneca Mid-Cap
and Theme Series also may buy exchange-traded call and put options on equity and
debt securities and on stock market indexes. The International, Enhanced Index,
Value, Growth & Income, Seneca Mid-Cap and Theme Series also may write or buy
Over-the-Counter (OTC) options, buy put options on securities indices and enter
into options transactions on a foreign currency. Generally, a put option on a
securities index is similar to a put option on an individual security, except
that the value of the option depends on the weighted value of the group of
securities comprising the index and all settlements are made in cash. The
International, Theme, Enhanced Index, Growth & Income and Asia Series also may
invest up to 5% of its net assets in warrants and stock rights, which are almost
identical to call options except that they are issued by the issuer of the
underlying security rather than an option writer. However, no more than 2% of
its net assets will be invested in warrants and stock rights not traded on the
NYSE or American Stock Exchange. A complete description of options, warrants and
stock rights, and their associated risks is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information. Options are forms of 

                                      2-20
<PAGE>

"derivatives" in that their value is dependent on fluctuations in the value of 
other securities.

   
    The Fund understands the position of the staff of the SEC to be that
purchased OTC options and the assets used as "cover" for written OTC options are
illiquid securities. The Fund has adopted procedures for engaging in OTC options
transactions for the purpose of reducing any potential adverse effect of such
transactions upon the liquidity of the International, Enhanced Index, Value,
Growth & Income, Seneca Mid-Cap and Theme Series. A brief description of these
procedures and related limitations appears in the Statement of Additional
Information.

FINANCIAL FUTURES AND RELATED OPTIONS
    The Allocation, Value, Growth & Income, Seneca Mid-Cap and Balanced Series
may enter into financial futures contracts for the purchase or sale of debt
obligations traded on exchanges regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates that would
otherwise have an adverse effect upon the value of debt securities in its
portfolio. A futures contract on a debt obligation is a binding contractual
commitment which, if held until maturity, will result in an obligation to make
or accept delivery of obligations having a standard face value and rate of
return. Hedging is the initiation of an offsetting position in the futures
market which is intended to minimize the risk associated with a position's
underlying securities in the cash market. The purchase of such futures contracts
will not be for speculation but will be solely for protection of the Series
against declines in value. Immediately after entering into a futures contract
for the receipt or delivery of a security, the value of the securities called
for by all of the Allocation, Value, Growth & Income, Seneca Mid-Cap or Balanced
Series' futures contracts (both receipts and delivery) will not exceed 10% of
such Series' total assets.
    

    The International, Theme, Enhanced Index, Value, Seneca Mid-Cap, Growth &
Income and Asia Series also may enter into financial futures contracts and
related options to hedge against anticipated changes in the market value of its
portfolio securities or securities which it intends to purchase or in the
exchange rate of foreign currencies. The International, Theme and Asia Series
will not purchase or sell any financial futures contract or related option if,
immediately thereafter, the sum of the cash or U.S. Treasury bills committed
with respect to its existing futures and related options positions and the
premiums paid for related options would exceed 5% of the market value of the
Series' total assets.

    Engaging in transactions in financial futures contracts involves certain
risks, such as the possibility of an imperfect correlation between futures
market prices and cash market prices and the possibility that the Adviser or a
Subadviser could be incorrect in its expectations as to the direction or extent
of various interest rate movements or foreign currency exchange rates, in which
case the Series' return might have been greater had hedging not taken place.
There is also the risk that a liquid secondary market may not exist. The risk in
purchasing an option on a financial futures contract is that the Series will
lose the premium it paid. Also, there may be circumstances when the purchase of
an option on a financial futures contract would result in a loss to the Series
even though the purchase or sale of the contract would not have resulted in a
loss. Futures are forms of derivatives.

    A complete description of financial futures and related options is contained
in the Statement of Additional Information.

   
FOREIGN SECURITIES
    The International and Asia Series will purchase foreign securities as
discussed above. In addition, the other Series may invest up to 25% (up to 35%
for the Theme Series, 20% for the Seneca Mid-Cap and Schafer Mid-Cap Series and
typically less than 5% for the Nifty Fifty Series) of total net asset value in
foreign securities. The Multi-Sector Series may invest up to 35% of total net
asset value in foreign debt securities. The Series, other than the
International, Theme and Asia Series, will purchase foreign debt securities only
if issued in U.S. dollar denominations. The Enhanced Index Series may invest in
securities of foreign corporations, provided that such securities are included
in the S&P 500 or traded on a U.S. exchange.
    

    Investments in foreign securities, particularly those of non-governmental
issuers, involve considerations which are not ordinarily associated with
investing in domestic issuers. Those considerations are discussed under
"International Series."

    Foreign Currency Transactions. The value of the assets of the Series
invested in foreign securities, as measured in United States dollars, may be
affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates
and exchange control regulations, and the Series may incur costs in connection
with conversions between various currencies. The Series will conduct foreign
currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot
rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through forward
contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A forward foreign currency
exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency
at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the
contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract.
These contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large
commercial banks) and their customers. At the time of the purchase of a forward
foreign currency exchange contract, any asset, including equity securities and
non-investment grade debt so long as the asset is liquid, unencumbered and
marked to market daily equal to the market value of the contract, minus the
Series' initial margin deposit with respect thereto, will be deposited in a
segregated account with the Fund's custodian bank to collateralize fully the
position and thereby ensure that it is not leveraged.

    When a Series enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security
denominated in a foreign currency, it may want to establish the United States
dollar cost or proceeds, as the case may be. By entering into a forward contract
in United States dollars for the purchase or sale of the amount of foreign
currency involved in the underlying security transaction, a Series is able to
protect itself against a possible loss between trade and settlement dates
resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the United States
dollar and such foreign currency. However, this tends to limit potential gains
which might result from a positive change in such currency relationships. A
Series also may hedge its foreign currency exchange rate risk by engaging in
currency financial futures and options 

                                      2-21
<PAGE>

transactions. For more information about foreign currency transactions, see the
Statement of Additional Information.

LEVERAGE
    The Theme, Value, Seneca Mid-Cap and Enhanced Index Series may, from time to
time, increase its ownership of securities holdings above the amounts otherwise
possible by borrowing from banks at fixed amounts of interest and investing the
borrowed funds. The Fund will borrow only from banks, and only if immediately
after such borrowing the value of the assets of the Series (including the amount
borrowed), less its liabilities (not including any borrowings) is at least three
times the amount of funds borrowed for investment purposes. The Fund may borrow
up to 25% of the net assets of such Series, not including the proceeds of any
such borrowings. However, the amount of the borrowings will be dependent upon
the availability and cost of credit from time to time. If, due to market
fluctuations or other reasons, the value of such Series' assets computed as
provided above become less than three times the amount of the borrowings for
investment purposes, the Fund, within three business days, is required to reduce
bank debt to the extent necessary to meet the required 300% asset coverage.

    Interest on money borrowed will be an expense of those Series with respect
to which the borrowing has been made. Because such expense otherwise would not
be incurred, the net investment income of such Series is not expected to be as
high as it otherwise would be during periods when borrowings for investment
purposes are substantial.

    Bank borrowings for investment purposes must be obtained on an unsecured
basis. Any such borrowing also must be made subject to an agreement by the
lender that any recourse is limited to the assets of such Series with respect to
which the borrowing has been made.

    Any investment gains made with the additional monies borrowed in excess of
interest paid will cause the net asset value of such Series' shares to rise
faster than otherwise would be the case. On the other hand, if the investment
performance of the additional securities purchased fails to cover its cost
(including any interest paid on the monies borrowed) to such Series, the net
asset value of the Series will decrease faster than otherwise would be the case.

    Schafer Mid-Cap, Growth & Income and Nifty Fifty Series may not borrow
except for emergency or other extraordinary purposes, only from a bank, and only
in an amount not to exceed 5% of the Series' total assets (33 1/3% in the case
of Growth & Income Series). Growth & Income and Nifty Fifty Series must also
maintain a 300% asset coverage ratio. Schafer Mid-Cap Series may collateralize
any such borrowings with up to 10% of its total assets; Growth & Income Series
may collateralize any such borrowing with up to 33 1/3% of its total assets.

PRIVATE PLACEMENTS AND RULE 144A SECURITIES
    Each Series may purchase securities which have been privately issued and are
subject to legal restrictions on resale or which are issued to qualified
institutional investors under special rules adopted by the SEC. Such securities
may offer higher yields than comparable publicly traded securities. Such
securities ordinarily can be sold by the Series in secondary market transactions
to certain qualified investors pursuant to rules established by the SEC, in
privately negotiated transactions to a limited number of purchasers or in a
public offering made pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Public sales of such
securities by the Fund may involve significant delays and expense. Private sales
often require negotiation with one or more purchasers and may produce less
favorable prices than the sale of similar unrestricted securities. Public sales
generally involve the time and expense of the preparation and processing of a
registration statement under the 1933 Act (and the possible decline in value of
the securities during such period) and may involve the payment of underwriting
commissions. In some instances, the Series may have to bear certain costs of
registration in order to sell such shares publicly. Except in the case of
securities sold to qualifying institutional investors under special rules
adopted by the SEC for which the Trustees determine the secondary market is
liquid, Rule 144A Securities will be considered illiquid. Trustees may determine
the secondary market is liquid based upon the following factors which will be
reviewed periodically as required pursuant to procedures adopted by the Series:
the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; the frequency of
trades; dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and the nature of
the security and its market. Investing in Rule 144A Securities could have the
effect of increasing the level of these Series' illiquidity to the extent that
qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing
these securities. Each Series may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid
securities.

   
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
    The Multi-Sector, Real Estate and Seneca Mid-Cap Series also may invest in
mortgage-backed securities such as mortgage pass-through certificates, real
estate mortgage investment conduit ("REMIC") certificates and collateralized
mortgage obligations ("CMOs"). CMOs are hybrid instruments with characteristics
of both mortgage-backed and mortgage pass-through securities. Similar to a bond,
interest and prepaid principal on a CMO are paid, in most cases, semi-annually.
CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans but are more typically
collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), or Federal National Mortgage
Association. CMOs are structured into multiple classes, with each class bearing
a different stated maturity. Monthly payments of principal, including
prepayments, are first returned to investors holding the shortest maturity
class; investors holding the longer maturity classes receive principal only
after the first class has been retired. REMICs are similar to CMOs and are fixed
pools of mortgages with multiple classes of interests held by investors.
    

    The Series also may invest in pass-through securities that are derived from
mortgages. A pass-through security is formed when mortgages are pooled together
and undivided interests in the pool or pools are sold. The cash flow from the
mortgages is passed through to the holders of the securities in the form of
periodic payments of interest, principal and prepayments (net of a service fee).

    The Series may purchase pass-through securities at a premium or at a
discount. The value of pass-through securities in which the Series may invest
will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. The value of such securities
varies inversely with interest rates, except that when interest rates decline,
the value of pass-through securities may not increase as much as other debt
securities because of the prepayment 

                                      2-22
<PAGE>

feature. Changes in the value of such securities will not affect interest
income from those obligations but will be reflected in the Series' net asset
value.

    A particular risk associated with pass-through securities involves the
volatility of prices in response to changes in interest rates, or prepayment
risk. Prepayment rates are important because of their effect on the yield and
price of securities. Prepayments occur when the holder of an individual mortgage
prepays the remaining principal before the mortgages' scheduled maturity date.
As a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying
securities, mortgage-backed securities are often subject to more rapid
prepayment of principal than their stated maturity would indicate. Although the
pattern of prepayments is estimated and reflected in the price paid for
pass-through securities at the time of purchase, the actual prepayment behavior
of mortgages cannot be known at that time. Therefore, it is not possible to
predict accurately the realized yield or average life of a particular issue of
pass-through securities. Prepayments that occur faster than estimated adversely
affect yields for pass-throughs purchased at a premium (that is, a price in
excess of principal amount) and may cause a loss of principal because the
premium may not have been fully amortized at the time the obligation is repaid.
The opposite is true for pass-throughs purchased at a discount. Furthermore, the
proceeds from prepayments usually are reinvested at current market rates, which
may be higher than, but usually are lower than, the rates earned on the original
pass-through securities. Prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans are influenced
by a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors, including
changes in mortgagors' housing needs, job transfers, unemployment, mortgagors,
net equity in the mortgaged properties and servicing decisions. Generally,
however, prepayments on fixed rate mortgage loans will increase during a period
of falling interest rates and decrease during a period of rising interest rates.
Mortgage-backed securities may decrease in value as a result of increases in
interest rates and may benefit less than other fixed income securities or
decline in value from declining interest rates because of risk of prepayment.
Pass-through securities are forms of derivatives.

LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
    Subject to certain investment restrictions, a Series (other than Nifty Fifty
Series) may, from time to time, lend securities from its portfolio to brokers,
dealers and financial institutions deemed creditworthy and receive, as
collateral, cash or cash equivalents which at all times while the loan is
outstanding will be maintained in amounts equal to at least 100% (except the
Asia Series which will maintain an amount equal to at least 102%) of the current
market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral will be invested in
short-term securities which will increase the current income of the Series
lending its securities. A Series will have the right to regain record ownership
of loaned securities to exercise beneficial rights such as voting rights and
subscription rights. While a securities loan is outstanding, the Series is to
receive an amount equal to any dividends, interest or other distributions with
respect to the loaned securities. A Series may pay reasonable fees to persons
unaffiliated with the Fund for services in arranging such loans.

    Even though securities lending usually does not impose market risks on the
lending Series, a Series would be subject to risk of loss due to an increase in
value if the borrower fails to return the borrowed securities for any reason
(such as the borrower's insolvency). Moreover, if the borrower of the securities
is insolvent, under current bankruptcy law, a Series could be ordered by a court
not to liquidate the collateral for an indeterminate period of time. If the
borrower is the subject of insolvency proceedings and the collateral held may
not be liquidated, the result could be a material adverse impact on the
liquidity of the lending Series.

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
    The Enhanced Index Series may commit to purchase new issues of securities on
a when-issued or forward delivery basis for payment and delivery on a later
date. The price and yield are generally fixed on the commitment to purchase
date. During the period between purchase and settlement, the Series does not
earn interest. Upon settlement, the security's market value may become more or
less than the purchase price.


INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Fund may not invest more than 25% of the assets of any one Series in any
one industry (except that the Money Market and Allocation Series may invest more
than 25% of their assets in the banking industry and the Real Estate Series may
invest at least 75% of its assets in the real estate industry). If the Fund
makes loans of the portfolio securities of any Series, the market value of the
securities loaned may not exceed 25% of the market value of the total assets of
such Series.

    In addition to the investment restrictions described above, each Series'
investment program is subject to further restrictions which are described in the
Statement of Additional Information. The restrictions for each Series are
fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval.


PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Each Series pays brokerage commissions for purchases and sales of portfolio
securities. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves a correspondingly greater
amount of brokerage commissions and other costs which must be borne directly by
a Series and thus indirectly by its shareholders. It also may result in the
realization of larger amounts of short-term capital gains, which are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income. The rate of portfolio turnover is not a
limiting factor when the Adviser deems changes appropriate. It is anticipated
that the turnover rate for the Enhanced Index, Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap,
Growth & Income, Value and Schafer Mid-Cap Series generally will not exceed
100%. Although securities for the Theme Series are not purchased for the
short-term, the Adviser's strict sell discipline may result in rates of
portfolio turnover equivalent to those identified by the SEC as appropriate for
capital appreciation funds with substantial short-term trading. The Adviser's
approach dictates that underperforming securities and securities not consistent
with prevailing themes will be sold. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by
dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities during the
fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the Series' securities
(excluding short-term securities). The turnover rate may vary greatly from year
to year and may be affected by cash requirements for redemptions of shares of a
Series and by compliance 

                                      2-23
<PAGE>

   
with provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, relieving investment companies
which distribute substantially all of their net income from federal income
taxation on the amounts distributed. The rates of portfolio turnover for each
Series (other than the Money Market, Enhanced Index, Nifty Fifty, Seneca
Mid-Cap, Growth & Income, Value and Schafer Mid-Cap Series) are set forth under
"Financial Highlights." For more information regarding the consequences related
to a high portfolio turnover rate, see "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage"
and "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
    


THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Fund is a mutual fund, technically known as an open-end, diversified
investment company. The Board of Trustees supervises the business affairs and
investments of the Fund, which is managed on a daily basis by the Fund's
investment advisers. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts Business Trust on
February 18, 1986. The Fund issues shares of beneficial interest in nine Series.
The Statement of Additional Information contains a list of the members of the
Board of Trustees and the officers of the Fund.

   
INVESTMENT ADVISERS
    The Fund's investment adviser to all Series except the Real Estate and Asia
Series is Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. ("PIC"), which is located at 56
Prospect Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06115. All of the outstanding stock of
PIC is owned by Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation ("PEPCO"), a subsidiary of
Phoenix Duff & Phelps Corporation ("PD&P"). Phoenix owns a controlling interest
in PD&P. PEPCO also performs bookkeeping, pricing and administrative services
for the Fund. PEPCO is registered as a broker-dealer in 50 states. The executive
offices of Phoenix are located at One American Row, Hartford, Connecticut 06102;
the executive offices of PD&P are located at 56 Prospect Street, Hartford,
Connecticut 06115, and the principal offices of PEPCO are located at 100 Bright
Meadow Boulevard, P.O. Box 2200, Enfield, Connecticut 06083-2200. In addition to
the Fund, PIC serves as investment adviser to the Phoenix Series Fund, Phoenix
Strategic Allocation Fund, Inc., Phoenix Strategic Equity Series Fund (all
series other than Equity Opportunities Series), Phoenix Duff & Phelps
Institutional Mutual Funds (all portfolios other than the Real Estate Equity
Securities Portfolio and the Enhanced Reserves Portfolio), Phoenix Growth and
Income Fund of Phoenix Equity Series Fund, Phoenix Investment Trust 97 and
Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund (all portfolios other than the Real Estate
Securities Portfolio) and as subadviser to Sun America Series Trust. PIC also
serves as subadviser to the Asia Series. PIC was originally organized in 1932 as
John P. Chase, Inc. As of December 31, 1996, PIC had approximately $18.2 billion
in assets under management.
    

    J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. ("J.P. Morgan"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated, serves as subadviser to the
Enhanced Index Series. J.P. Morgan's principal place of business is located at
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036. J.P. Morgan presently serves as an
investment manager for corporate, public and union employee benefit funds,
foundations, endowments, insurance companies, government agencies and the
accounts of other institutional investors. J.P. Morgan was founded in 1984 and
as of March 31, 1997 had approximately $184 billion in assets under management.

    Roger Engemann & Associates ("Engemann") serves as subadviser to the Nifty
Fifty Series. Engemann is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pasadena Capital
Corporation, which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of PD&P. Engemann has
been engaged in the investment management business since 1969, and provides
investment counseling services to retirement plans, colleges, corporations,
trusts and individuals. Engemann also serves as investment adviser to the
Phoenix-Engemann Funds. As of December 31, 1996, Engemann had approximately $5.1
billion in assets under management.

    Seneca Capital Management, LLC ("Seneca") serves as subadviser to the Seneca
Mid-Cap Series. PD&P owns a majority interest in Seneca; the balance is owned by
certain of its employees, including Gail Seneca, one of the portfolio management
team leaders, and the former limited partners of GMC/Seneca Capital Management,
LLC. Seneca (including its predecessor, GMG/Seneca Capital Management LP) has
been an investment adviser since 1989, managing equity and fixed-income
securities portfolios primarily for institutions and individuals. As of December
31, 1996, Seneca had approximately $3.9 billion in assets under management.

    Schafer Capital Management, Inc. ("Schafer"), serves as subadviser to the
Schafer Mid-Cap Series. Schafer's principal place of business is located at 101
Carnegie Center, Suite 107, Princeton, New Jersey. Schafer has been engaged in
the investment management business since 1981, specializing in long-term
investing in the equity markets. As of December 8, 1997, Schafer had
approximately $1.7 billion in assets under management.

   
    The investment adviser to the Real Estate Series is Duff & Phelps Investment
Management Co. ("DPIM"). DPIM is a subsidiary of PD&P and is located at 55 East
Monroe Street, Suite 3600, Chicago, Illinois 60603. PD&P is a NYSE traded
company that provides investment management and related services to
institutional investors, corporations and individuals through operating
subsidiaries. DPIM also serves as investment adviser to the Core Equity Fund of
Phoenix Equity Series Fund, the Enhanced Reserves and Real Estate Equity
Securities Portfolios of Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds, the
Real Estate Securities Portfolio of Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund and three
closed-end funds: Duff & Phelps Utilities Income Inc., Duff & Phelps Utilities
Tax-Free Income Inc. and Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. As
of September 30, 1997, DPIM had approximately $12.9 billion in assets under
management.

    The investment adviser to the Asia Series is Phoenix-Aberdeen International
Advisors, LLC ("PAIA"). PAIA is located at One American Row, Hartford,
Connecticut 06102. PAIA, a Delaware limited liability company formed in 1996 and
jointly owned and managed by PM Holdings, Inc., is a direct subsidiary of
Phoenix and Aberdeen Fund Managers, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aberdeen
Asset Management plc. Aberdeen Asset Management is a partially-owned subsidiary
of Phoenix. Aberdeen Fund Managers, Inc. has its principal offices located at 1
Financial Plaza, Suite 2210, NationsBank Tower, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33394.
While many of the officers and directors of the Adviser and subadviser have
extensive experience as investment professionals, due to its recent formation,
the Adviser has 
    
                                      2-24
<PAGE>

   
no prior operating history. Aberdeen Fund Managers, Inc. also serves as 
subadviser to the Asia Series.
    

    Aberdeen Asset Management was founded in 1983, and through subsidiaries
operating from offices in Aberdeen, Scotland; London, England; Singapore; and
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, provides investment management services to unit and
investment trusts, segregated pension funds and other institutional and private
portfolios. As of February 28, 1997, Aberdeen Asset Management and its advisory
subsidiaries, had approximately $4.8 billion in assets under management.

    The Advisers continuously furnish an investment program for each Series and
manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of each Series subject at
all times to the authority and supervision of the Trustees. All costs and
expenses (other than those specifically referred to as being borne by the
Advisers) incurred in the operation of the Account and the Fund are borne by the
Fund, Phoenix, PHL Variable or PLAC. A more detailed discussion of the Advisers
and the Investment Advisory Agreements and Investment Subadvisory Agreements is
contained in the Statement of Additional Information.


PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
    Balanced Series. Investment and trading decisions for the Balanced Series
are made by a team of equity investment professionals and a team of fixed income
investment professionals.

    Allocation Series. Ms. Mary E. Canning serves as portfolio manager of the
Allocation Series and, as such, is primarily responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Series' investments. Ms. Canning has served as manager since
August 1996 and as co-manager since June 1996. She has been a vice president of
Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. since 1991 and also is a vice president of the
Fund (since 1987) and of Phoenix Series Fund (since 1987). From June 1991 to
November 1995, Ms. Canning was associate portfolio manager, Common Stock,
Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company and held various other positions with
Phoenix Home Life from 1982 to 1991.

    Multi-Sector Series. Mr. Curtiss O. Barrows has served as portfolio manager
of the Multi-Sector Series since 1986 and, as such, is primarily responsible for
the day-to-day management of the Series' portfolio. Mr. Barrows also is
portfolio manager of the High Yield Series of the Phoenix Series Fund and is a
vice president of PIC. Mr. Barrows also is portfolio manager, Public Bonds,
Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company.

    Growth Series. Investment and trading decisions for the Growth Series are
made by a team of equity investment professionals.

    International Series. Ms. Jeanne Dorey and Mr. David Lui are the coportfolio
managers of the International Series and, as such, are primarily responsible for
the day-to-day management of the Series' investments. Ms. Dorey also is
coportfolio manager of the International Portfolio of Phoenix Multi-Portfolio
Fund and of Phoenix Worldwide Opportunities Fund. Ms. Dorey has served as vice
president of PIC since April 1993, and as vice president of the Fund and
portfolio manager of the Fund, Phoenix Worldwide Opportunities Fund and Phoenix
International Portfolio since February 1993. Since May 1993, she also has served
as vice president of National Securities & Research Corporation, an affiliate of
PIC. From 1990 to 1992, Ms. Dorey was an investment analyst and portfolio
manager with Pioneer Group, Inc. Mr. Lui also is coportfolio manager of Phoenix
Worldwide Opportunities Fund and the International Series of The Phoenix Edge
Series Fund. Mr. Lui previously served as associate portfolio manager of such
funds since June 1995. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Lui was vice president of Asian
Equities at Alliance Capital Management, and from 1990 to 1993, he was an
associate, Capital Markets, at Bankers Trust.

    Money Market Series. Ms. Julie L. Sapia is the portfolio manager of the
Money Market Series and as such is primarily responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Series. Ms. Sapia is also Vice President and portfolio manager
of the Money Market Fund Series of Phoenix Series Fund and of the Money Market
Portfolio of Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds. She is also Vice
President of Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund. From April 1997 to present, she has
been Head Money Market Trader of PIC; from 1995 to 1997 she was Money Market
Trader of PIC; and from 1991 to 1995 she was Money Market Trader for Phoenix.

   
    Real Estate Series. Mr. Michael Schatt is responsible for managing the
assets of the Real Estate Series. Mr. Schatt is employed as managing director of
PD&P and is a senior vice president of PRS and vice president of the Fund,
Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds, Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund,
Duff & Phelps Utilities Income Inc. and DPIM. His current responsibilities
include serving as coportfolio manager of the Real Estate Securities Portfolio
of Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund, the Real Estate Equity Securities Portfolio of
Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds, and managing the real estate
investment securities of Duff & Phelps Utilities Income Inc. Previously he
served as director of the Real Estate Advisory Practice for Coopers & Lybrand,
LLC and has over 16 years experience in the real estate industry.
    

    Theme Series. Mr. William J. Newman serves as portfolio manager of the Theme
Series and, as such, is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of
the Series' portfolio. Mr. Newman joined Phoenix in March 1995 as chief
investment strategist and managing director for Phoenix Investments. Mr. Newman
also is executive vice president of PIC. Most recently, Mr. Newman was chief
investment strategist for Kidder Peabody in New York from May 1993 to December
1994. He was managing director at Bankers Trust from March 1991 to May 1993.

    Asia Series. Mr. Hugh Young is the portfolio manager of the Asia Series and,
as such, is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Series'
portfolio. Mr. Young has been employed as an investment director for Abtrust
Fund Managers (Singapore) Limited since 1988. From 1985 to 1988, Mr. Young was
the Far East investment director for Sentinel Funds Management Ltd. From 1984 to
1985, he was an investment manager with Fidelity International Ltd. From 1981 to
1984, he served as investment analyst-overseas investment manager with MGM
Assurance; and from 1980 to 1981, he was an investment analyst with Beardsley
Bishop Escombe, Stockbrokers.

    Enhanced Index Series. Mr. Timothy Devlin and Mr. James Wiess are
coportfolio managers of the Enhanced Index Series and, as such, are primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Series' investments. Mr. Devlin
has served as a vice president of J.P. Morgan since July 1996 and is a member of
the Structured Equity Group 

                                      2-25
<PAGE>

where he has the dual responsibilities of client servicing and portfolio
management. From 1987 to 1996, he served as First Vice President of Mitchell
Hutchins where he managed quantitatively-driven equity portfolios for
institutional and retail investors. Mr. Wiess is a vice president of J.P. Morgan
and is a portfolio manager in the Structured Equity Group where he has the
responsibility of portfolio rebalancing and research and development of
structured equities. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan in 1992, Mr. Wiess was a stock
index arbitrager for seven years at Oppenheimer & Co. 

    Nifty Fifty Series. Mr. Roger Engemann, Mr. James E. Mair and Mr. John S.
Tilson are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Series.
Mr. Engemann has been president of Engemann since its inception. Messrs. Mair
and Tilson are both executive vice presidents of Engemann, and both have been
with Engemann since 1983.

    Seneca Mid-Cap Series. Ms. Gail P. Seneca and Mr. Richard D. Little are the
portfolio management team leaders for the Series and as such are primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Series' assets. Ms. Seneca is
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Seneca and a team
leader of the portfolio management team of each of the Seneca Funds. From
October 1987 until October 1989, Ms. Seneca was senior vice president of the
Asset Management Division of Wells Fargo Bank and from October 1983 to September
1987, she was investment strategist and portfolio manager for Chase Lincoln
Bank, heading the Fixed Income Division. Mr. Little has been with Seneca since
December 1989. He is a general partner and director of Equities. Before he
joined Seneca, Mr. Little held positions as an analyst, board member and
regional manager with Smith Barney, NatWest Securities and Montgomery
Securities.

    Growth & Income Series. Mr. Steven L. Colton serves as portfolio manager of
the Growth & Income Series, and as such is primarily responsible for the
day-to-day operation of the Series. Mr. Colton joined PD&P in June 1997.
Previously, Mr. Colton was portfolio manager for the American Century Income &
Growth Fund ("ACIGF") from its inception on December 17, 1990 through May 30,
1997.

    Value Series. Mr. Christian C. Bertelsen serves as portfolio manager of the
Value Series and as such is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management
of the Series' investments. Mr. Bertelsen joined PD&P in July 1997. Previously,
from 1996 to July 1997, Mr. Bertelsen was employed by Dreman Value Advisors
where he served as chief investment officer and portfolio manager of the
Kemper-Dreman Contrarian and Small Cap Value Funds. From 1993 to 1996, Mr.
Bertelsen was a senior vice president of Eagle Asset Management where he managed
private and institutional assets, as well as the Heritage Value Equity Fund.
From 1986 to 1993, he served as senior vice president of Colonial Equity
Management, Inc. and vice president and portfolio manager of the Colonial Fund.
Mr. Bertelsen has over 30 years investment experience.

    Schafer Mid-Cap Series. Mr. David K. Schafer, is the portfolio manager for
the Schafer Mid-Cap Series and as such is primarily responsible for the
day-to-day management of the Series' portfolio. Mr. Schafer has been in the
investment management business for more than twenty-five years. Mr. Schafer is
the president of Schafer Capital Management, Inc. and is also portfolio manager
to Strong Schafer Value Fund. Mr. Schafer was a securities analyst, first for
Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc., publisher of The Value Line Investment Survey, from
June 1966 to June 1968; for J & W Seligman & Co. from June 1968 to December
1970; and for Fariston Management Corp., from January 1971 to November 1972. In
1972, he joined the treasury department of INCO Ltd. to supervise that company's
pension assets, and in 1974 he began managing a portion of those assets himself.
In 1981, Mr. Schafer left INCO Ltd. to found Schafer Capital Management.


ADVISORY FEES
    As compensation for its services for all Series, the Advisers are entitled
to a fee at an annual rate of the average daily net assets of the Series,
payable monthly, as follows:

   
                        PHOENIX INVESTMENT COUNSEL, INC.
                        --------------------------------

                                                     RATE FOR
                  RATE FOR FIRST  RATE FOR NEXT    EXCESS OVER
SERIES             $250,000,000    $250,000,000    $500,000,000
- ------             ------------    ------------    ------------
Money Market.....      .40%            .35%            .30%
Multi-Sector.....      .50%            .45%            .40%
Balanced.........      .55%            .50%            .45%
Allocation.......      .60%            .55%            .50%
Growth...........      .70%            .65%            .60%
International....      .75%            .70%            .65%
Theme ...........      .75%            .70%            .65%
Nifty Fifty......      .90%            .80%            .70%
Growth & Income..      .70%            .65%            .60%
Value............      .70%            .65%            .60%


                        PHOENIX INVESTMENT COUNSEL, INC.
                        --------------------------------

SERIES
- ------
Enhanced Index...       .45%
Seneca Mid-Cap...       .80%
Schafer Mid-Cap..      1.05%

    The total advisory fees of .75%, .75%, .90%, .80% and 1.05% of the aggregate
net assets of the International, Theme, Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap and Schafer
Mid-Cap Series, respectively, is greater than that paid by most mutual funds;
however, the Board of Trustees of the Fund has determined that it is similar to
fees charged by other mutual funds whose investment objectives are similar to
those of the International, Theme, Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap and Schafer
Mid-Cap Series.

    Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with the Fund, PIC delegates certain
investment decisions and research functions with respect to the Enhanced Index
Series to J.P. Morgan, with respect to the Nifty Fifty Series to Engemann, with
respect to Seneca Mid-Cap Series to Seneca, and with respect to Schafer Mid-Cap
Series to Schafer for which they are paid a fee by PIC. In accordance with the
subadvisory agreement between the Fund and J.P. Morgan, J.P. Morgan is paid a
monthly fee at the annual rate of .25% of the average aggregate daily net asset
values of the Enhanced Index Series up to $100 million and .20% of such value in
excess of $100 million. Pursuant to the subadvisory agreement between the Fund
and Engemann, Engemann is paid a monthly fee at the annual rate of .45% of the
average aggregate daily net asset values of the Nifty Fifty Series up to
$250,000,000, .425% of such values between $250,000,000 and $500,000,000 and
 .40% of such values in excess of $500,000,000. Pursuant to the subadvisory
agreement between the Fund and Seneca, Seneca is paid a monthly fee at the
annual rate of .40% of the average 
    

                                      2-26
<PAGE>

   
aggregate daily net asset values of the Seneca Mid-Cap Series. In accordance
with the subadvisory agreement between the Fund and Schafer, Schafer is paid a
monthly fee at the annual rate of .85% of the average aggregate daily net asset
values of the Schafer Mid-Cap Series up to $175 million and .80% of such value
in excess of $175 million. The subadvisory agreements relating to the Enhanced
Index, Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap and Schafer Mid-Cap Series provides, among
other things, that J.P. Morgan, Engemann, Seneca and Schafer shall effectuate
the purchase and sale of securities for the Series and provide related advisory
services.

                     DUFF & PHELPS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CO.
                     ---------------------------------------
    
                                                     RATE FOR
                  RATE FOR FIRST  RATE FOR NEXT    EXCESS OVER
SERIES            $1,000,000,000  $1,000,000,000  $2,000,000,000
- ------            --------------  --------------  --------------
Real Estate......      .75%            .70%            .65%


    The total advisory fee of .75% of the aggregate net assets of the Real
Estate Series is greater than that paid by most mutual funds; however, the Board
of Trustees of the Fund has determined that it is similar to fees charged by
other mutual funds whose investment objectives are similar to that of the Real
Estate Series.


                  PHOENIX-ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL ADVISORS, LLC
                  --------------------------------------------

SERIES
- ------
Asia Series......      1.00%

    The total advisory fee of 1.00% of the aggregate net assets of the Asia
Series is greater than that paid by most mutual funds; however, the Board of
Trustees of the Fund has determined that it is similar to fees charged by other
mutual funds whose investment objectives are similar to those of the Asia
Series. The Investment Advisory Agreement with the Fund provides that PAIA will
reimburse the Fund for the amount, if any, by which the total operating expenses
(including PAIA's compensation, but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage fees
and commissions and extraordinary expenses) for any fiscal year exceed the level
of expenses which the Asia Series is permitted to bear under the most
restrictive expense limitation.

    For providing research and other domestic advisory services to the Asia
Series, PAIA pays to PIC, Inc. a monthly subadvisory fee at an annual rate
equivalent to .30% of the average aggregate daily net asset value of the Series.
For implementing certain portfolio transactions and providing research and other
services to the Series, PAIA also pays a monthly subadvisory fee to Aberdeen
Fund Managers Inc. equivalent to .40% of the average aggregate daily net asset
value of the Series. For implementing certain portfolio transactions, providing
research and other services with regard to investments in particular geographic
areas, Aberdeen Fund Managers Inc. shall engage the services of its affiliates
Abtrust Fund Managers Ltd. and Abtrust Fund Managers (Singapore) Limited for
which such entities shall be paid a fee by Aberdeen Fund Managers Inc.


FINANCIAL AGENT
    Under a Financial Agent Agreement, PEPCO acts as financial agent of the Fund
and as such is responsible for certain administrative functions and the
bookkeeping and pricing functions for the Fund. For its services as financial
agent, PEPCO receives a fee based on the average of the aggregate daily net
asset values of the Fund at the annual rate per each $1,000,000 of $600.


EXPENSES
    Each Series (except the International, Real Estate, Theme, Asia, Enhanced
Index and Seneca Mid-Cap Series) pays a portion or all of its total operating
expenses other than the management fee, up to .15% of its total average net
assets. The International, Real Estate, Theme, Asia, Enhanced Index and Seneca
Mid-Cap Series pay total operating expenses other than the management fee up to
 .40%, .25%, .25%, .25%, .10% and .25%, respectively, of its total average net
assets. Expenses above these limits are paid by the Advisers, Phoenix, PHL
Variable or PLAC.


PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
    No Series has any obligation to deal with any dealer or group of dealers in
the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to the Statement
of Policy on Brokerage Allocation adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Advisers
are primarily responsible for the portfolio decisions of each Series and the
placing of its portfolio transactions. In placing orders, it is the policy of
each Series to obtain the most favorable net results, taking into account
various factors, including price, dealer spread or commission, if any, size of
the transaction and difficulty of execution. While the Advisers generally seek
reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the Series will not necessarily
be paying the lowest spread or commission available. The Statement of Additional
Information contains more information on brokerage allocation.


PERFORMANCE HISTORY
    From time to time, the Fund may include the performance history of any or
all of the Series (along with applicable separate account performance history)
in advertisements, sales literature or reports. Performance information about
each Series is based on that Series' past performance only and is not an
indication of future performance. Performance information may be expressed as
yield and effective yield of the Money Market Series, as yield of the
Multi-Sector Series and as total return of any Series. Current yield for the
Money Market Series will be based on the income earned by the Series over a
given 7-day period (less a hypothetical charge reflecting deductions for
expenses taken during the period) and then annualized, i.e., the income earned
in the period is assumed to be earned every seven days over a 52-week period and
is stated in terms of an annual percentage return on the investment. Effective
yield is calculated similarly but reflects the compounding effect of earnings on
reinvested dividends.

    For the Multi-Sector Series, quotations of yield will be based on all
investment income per share earned during a given 30-day period (including
dividends and interest), less expenses accrued during the period ("net
investment income"), and are computed by dividing net investment income by the
maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period.

    When a Series advertises its total return, it usually will be calculated for
one year, five years, and ten years or since inception if the Series has not
been in existence for at least ten years. Total return is measured by comparing
the value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the Series at the beginning of
the relevant period to the value of the investment at the end of the period,
assuming the reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value and the
deduction of the maximum sales charge applicable at the beginning of the
relevant period.

                                      2-27
<PAGE>

           AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 12/31/96
           ----------------------------------------------------------

                  COMMENCEMENT                              LIFE OF
SERIES                DATE       1 YEAR  5 YEARS  10 YEARS   FUND
- ------                ----       ------  -------  --------   ----
Multi-Sector....     1/1/83      12.42%  10.86%    9.77%    10.89%
Balanced........     5/1/92      10.56%     N/A      N/A    10.26%
Allocation......     9/17/84      9.05%   9.32%   11.40%    12.91%
Growth..........     1/1/83      12.58%  14.56%   16.13%    18.87%
International...     5/1/90      18.65%   9.44%      N/A     8.53%
Real Estate ....     5/1/95      33.09%     N/A      N/A    30.87%
Theme...........     1/29/96        N/A     N/A      N/A    10.33%
Asia Series.....     9/17/96        N/A     N/A      N/A     0.16%
Enhanced Index..     7/15/97        N/A     N/A      N/A       N/A


                              ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
                              --------------------

YEAR          MULTI-SECTOR   BALANCED     ALLOCATION     GROWTH
- ----          ------------   --------     ----------     ------
1986.........    19.45%          N/A        15.61%       20.15%
1987.........     1.12%          N/A        12.58%        7.05%
1988.........    10.36%          N/A         2.33%        3.83%
1989.........     8.30%          N/A        19.88%       36.06%
1990.........     5.14%          N/A         5.62%        3.98%
1991.........    19.41%          N/A        29.44%       43.83%
1992.........    10.03%        9.72%        10.67%       10.29%
1993.........    15.90%        8.57%        11.02%       19.69%
1994.........    (5.47%)      (2.80%)       (1.45%)       1.48%
1995.........    23.54%       23.28%        18.22%       30.85%
1996.........    12.42%       10.56%         9.05%       12.58%


                                REAL                  ASIA     ENHANCED
YEAR          INTERNATIONAL    ESTATE     THEME      SERIES     INDEX
- ----          -------------    ------     -----      ------     -----
1986........         N/A          N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A
1987........         N/A          N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A
1988........         N/A          N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A
1989........         N/A          N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A
1990........      (8.10%)         N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A
1991........      19.78%          N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A
1992........     (12.89%)         N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A
1993........      38.44%          N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A
1994........       0.03%          N/A        N/A        N/A      N/A
1995........       9.59%       17.79%*       N/A        N/A      N/A
1996........      18.65%       33.09%     10.33%*     0.16%*     N/A
                                *Since inception

    Performance data is historical and includes changes in share price and
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Principal and investment return
(except Money Market Series) will vary and you may have a gain or loss when you
withdraw your money. The Multi-Sector Series includes high yielding, lower-rated
securities which are subject to greater price volatility and may involve greater
risk of default. The market for these securities may be less liquid. While Money
Market Series seeks to maintain a stable value of $10.00 per share, there is no
assurance that it will be able to do so.

    Yield calculations of the Money Market Series used for illustration purposes
are based on the consideration of a hypothetical investment account having a
balance of exactly one Share at the beginning of a seven-day period, which
period will end on the date of the most recent financial statements. The yield
for the Series during this seven-day period will be the change in the value of
the hypothetical investment account's original Share. The following is an
example of this yield calculation for the Money Market Series based on a
seven-day period ending December 31, 1996.

Assumptions:

Value of hypothetical pre-existing account with
   exactly one share at the beginning of the period:.  10.000000
Value of the same account (excluding capital
   changes) at the end of the seven-day period:......  10.009537
Calculation:
   Ending account value..............................  10.009537
   Less beginning account value......................  10.000000
   Net change in account value.......................   0.009537
Base period return:
   (adjusted change/beginning account value).........   0.000954
Current yield = return x (365/7) =...................      4.97%
Effective yield = [(1 + return)365/7]B1 =............      5.10%

    The current yield and effective yield information will fluctuate, and
publication of yield information may not provide a basis for comparison with
bank deposits, other investments which are insured and/or pay a fixed yield for
a stated period of time.

    The Advisers have voluntarily agreed to reimburse certain expenses as
described under "Expenses" above. If the Advisers had not reimbursed certain
expenses during the periods shown, the returns for these funds would have been
lower. PERFORMANCE NUMBERS ARE NET OF ALL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES, BUT DO NOT
INCLUDE ANY INSURANCE CHARGES IMPOSED BY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY'S SEPARATE
ACCOUNT. IF PERFORMANCE INFORMATION INCLUDED THE EFFECT OF THESE ADDITIONAL
CHARGES, IT WOULD BE LOWER.

    The Fund's Annual Report, available upon request and without charge,
contains a discussion of the performance of each Series and a comparison of that
performance to a securities market index.

SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Fund currently has fifteen Series of shares of beneficial interest.
Shares (including fractional shares) of each Series have equal rights with
regard to voting, redemptions, dividends, distributions, and liquidations with
respect to that Series. All voting rights of the Accounts as shareholders are
passed through to the Contract Owners and Policyowners. Shareholders of all
Series currently vote on the election of Trustees and other matters. On matters
affecting an individual Series (such as approval of an Investment Advisory
Agreement or a change in fundamental investment policies), a separate vote of
that Series is required.


    Fund shares attributable to any Phoenix, PHL Variable or PLAC assets and
Fund shares for which no timely instructions from Contract Owners or
Policyowners are received will be voted by Phoenix, PHL Variable and PLAC in the
same proportion as those shares in that Series for which instructions are
received.

    Shares are fully paid, nonassessable, redeemable and fully transferable when
they are issued. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights, preemptive rights
or subscription rights.

    The assets received by the Fund for the issue or sale of shares of each
Series, and all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, subject only to
the rights of creditors, are allocated to such Series, and constitute the
underlying assets of such Series. The underlying assets 

                                      2-28
<PAGE>

of each Series are required to be segregated on the books of account, and
are to be charged with the expenses of the Series and with a share of the
general expenses of the Fund. Any general expenses of the Fund not readily
identifiable as belonging to a particular Series shall be allocated by or under
the direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine to be
fair and equitable.

    Unlike the stockholders of a corporation, there is a possibility that the
Accounts as shareholders of a business trust such as the Fund may be liable for
debts or claims against the Fund. The Declaration of Trust provides that
shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability for the acts or
obligations of the Fund and that every written agreement, undertaking or
obligation made or issued by the Fund shall contain a provision to that effect.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the Fund's property
for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable for the
obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of the Accounts, as shareholders,
incurring loss because of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in
which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations. Phoenix, PHL
Variable and PLAC, as the sole shareholders, have a fiduciary duty to bear this
risk and Contract Owners and Policyowners should be fully and completely
insulated from risk.


PURCHASE OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Fund offers its shares, without sales charge, for purchase by the
Accounts as an investment medium for the Variable Accumulation Annuity Contracts
and Variable Universal Life Insurance Policies issued by Phoenix, PHL Variable
and PLAC. It is contemplated that in the future other separate accounts of
Phoenix, PHL Variable, PLAC or other insurance companies may purchase shares of
the Fund. Shares of the Fund will not be sold to the public. The Fund
continuously offers shares in each Series to the Accounts at prices equal to the
respective net asset values of those Series. Net asset value is determined in
the manner set forth below under "Net Asset Value."

    It is conceivable that, in the future, it may be disadvantageous for
variable life insurance separate accounts and variable annuity separate accounts
to invest in the Fund simultaneously. Although Phoenix, PHL Variable, PLAC or
the Fund currently do not foresee any such disadvantages either to variable life
insurance Policyowners or to variable annuity Contract Owners, the Fund's Board
of Trustees intends to monitor events in order to identify any material
conflicts between such Policyowners and Contract Owners and to determine what
action, if any, including withdrawal by the Separate Account from the Fund,
should be taken in response thereto. Material conflicts could result from, for
example, (1) changes in state insurance laws, (2) changes in federal income tax
laws, (3) changes in the investment management of any portfolio of the Fund or
(4) differences in voting instructions between those given by Policyowners and
those given by Contract Owners.


NET ASSET VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The net asset value per share of each Series is determined as of the close
of regular trading of the NYSE on days when the NYSE is open for trading. The
net asset value per share of a Series is determined by adding the values of all
securities and other assets of the Series, subtracting liabilities and dividing
by the total number of outstanding shares of the Series.

    The Series' investments are valued at market value or, where market
quotations are not available, at fair value as determined in good faith by the
Trustees or their delegates. Foreign and domestic debt securities (other than
short-term investments) are valued on the basis of broker quotations or
valuations provided by a pricing service approved by the Trustees when such
prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities. Foreign and
domestic equity securities are valued at the last sale price or, if there has
been no sale that day, at the last bid price, generally. Short-term investments
having a remaining maturity of less than 61 days are valued at amortized cost,
which the Trustees have determined approximates market. For further information
about security valuations, see the Statement of Additional Information.


REDEMPTION OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Fund will redeem all full and fractional shares of the Fund presented
for redemption. The Fund may, at the discretion of the Trustees and to the
extent consistent with state and federal law, make payment for shares of a
particular Series redeemed in whole or in part in securities or other assets of
such Series taken at current values. The redemption price is the net asset value
per share next determined after the initial receipt of proper notice of
redemption.

    The right to redeem shares or to receive payment with respect to any
redemption only may be suspended for more than seven days for any period during
which trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC or such
Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), for any
period during which an emergency exists as defined by the SEC as a result of
which disposal of portfolio securities or determination of the net asset value
of each Series is not reasonably practicable, and for such other periods as the
SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of each Series.


DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    All dividends and distributions with respect to the shares of any Series
will be payable in shares of such Series at net asset value or, at the option of
the Account as shareholder, in cash.

    The net investment income of the Money Market Series will be declared as
dividends daily. Dividends will be distributed and reinvested in additional
shares on the last business day of every month. The net income of the Money
Market Series for Saturdays, Sundays and other days on which the NYSE is closed
will be declared as dividends on the next business day.

   
    The Multi-Sector, Growth, Allocation, Balanced, International, Enhanced
Index, Theme, Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap, Growth & Income, Value and Schafer
Mid-Cap Series will distribute substantially all net investment income to
shareholders at least annually, although it is anticipated that these
distributions will be made on a quarterly basis. Net realized capital gains, if
any, will be distributed annually. The Real Estate Series will distribute its
net investment income to its shareholders quarterly and net realized capital
gains, if any, to its
    
                                      2-29
<PAGE>

shareholders annually. The Asia Series will distribute its net investment
income to its shareholders on a semi-annual basis and net realized capital
gains, if any, to its shareholders on an annual basis.


TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") and so qualified for its last
taxable year. In addition, the Fund intends to comply with the investment
diversification requirements for variable contracts contained in the Code.
Moreover, the Fund intends to distribute sufficient income to avoid imposition
of any Federal excise tax. Dividends derived from interest and distributions of
any realized capital gains are taxable, under Subchapter M, to the Fund's
shareholders, which in this case are the Accounts. The International and Asia
Series may incur liability for foreign income and withholding taxes on
investment income. The International and Asia Series intend to qualify for, and
may make an election permitted under, the Code to enable the shareholder
Accounts (and therefore Phoenix) to claim a credit or deduction on Phoenix's
income tax return for the Accounts' pro rata share of the income and withholding
taxes paid by the International and Asia Series to foreign countries. Phoenix
also will treat the foreign income taxes paid by the Series as income. Contract
Owners and Policyowners will not be required to treat the foreign income taxes
paid by the Series as income or be able to claim a credit or deduction for these
taxes on their income tax returns. For a discussion of the taxation of the
Accounts, see "Federal Tax Considerations" included in the Accounts'
prospectuses.

    Although the Real Estate Series may be a non-diversified portfolio, the Fund
intends to comply with the diversification and other requirements of the Code
applicable to "regulated investment companies" so that it will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gain distributions to
shareholders. Accordingly, the Real Estate Series will insure that no more than
25% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of a single issuer
and that at least 50% of its total assets is represented by cash and cash items
and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount no
greater than 5% of the total value of the assets of the Series.

    In addition, if the Real Estate Series has rental income or income from the
disposition of real property acquired as a result of a default on securities the
Real Estate Series may own, the receipt of such income may adversely affect its
ability to retain its tax status as a regulated investment company.


   
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Custodian of the assets of the Multi-Sector, Money Market, Growth,
Strategic Allocation, Balanced and Strategic Theme Series is The Chase Manhattan
Bank, N.A., 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, Floor 3B, New York, NY 10081. The Custodian
of the assets of the International and Asia Series is Brown Brothers Harriman &
Co., 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, Attention: Manager,
Securities Division. The Custodian of the assets of the Real Estate, Growth &
Income, Value, Seneca Mid-Cap, Engemann Nifty Fifty, Schafer Mid-Cap and
Enhanced Index Series is State Street Bank and Trust, 1 Heritage Drive, P2N,
North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171. The Fund has authorized the Custodian to
appoint one or more subcustodians of the assets of the Fund held outside the
United States. The securities and other assets of each Series will be held by
the Custodians or any subcustodian separate from the securities and assets of
each other Series.
    

    The Transfer Agent and the Dividend Paying Agent for the Fund's shares is
Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation, 100 Bright Meadow Boulevard, PO Box 2200,
Enfield, Connecticut 06083-2200.


OTHER INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Price Waterhouse LLP, 160 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110,
serves as independent accountants for the Fund and audits its financial
statements annually.

    Inquiries and requests for the Statement of Additional Information and the
Annual Report to Shareholders should be directed in writing to Phoenix Variable
Products Mail Operations, PO Box 8027, Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8027, or by
telephoning Variable Products Operations at (800) 447-4312.

                                      2-30

<PAGE>


                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND

HOME OFFICE:                                           PHOENIX VARIABLE PRODUCTS
                                                                MAIL OPERATIONS:
101 Munson Street                                                  P.O. Box 8027
Greenfield, MA                                             Boston, MA 02266-8027




                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


   
                                February 27, 1998


    This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. Much of the
information contained in this Statement of Additional Information expands upon
subjects discussed in the Prospectus. Accordingly, this Statement should be read
together with the Fund's current Prospectus, dated February 27, 1998, which may
be obtained by calling Variable Products Operations at (800) 447-4312, or by
writing to Phoenix Variable Products Mail Operations at P.O. Box 8027, Boston,
Massachusetts 02266-8027.
    



                             -------------------                               

                              TABLE OF CONTENTS*

                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----

   
    The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (2-1)...................................   2
    Investment Policies (2-11)...........................................   2
    Investment Restrictions (2-23).......................................  12
    Portfolio Turnover (2-23)............................................  13
    Management of the Fund (2-24)........................................  13
    Investment Advisers (2-24)...........................................  22
    Brokerage Allocation (2-27)..........................................  24
    Determination of Net Asset Value (2-29)..............................  25
    Investing In the Fund (2-29).........................................  25
    Redemption of Shares (2-29)..........................................  25
    Taxes (2-30).........................................................  26
    Custodian (2-30).....................................................  26
    Independent Accountants..............................................  26
    Financial Statements.................................................  26
    Appendix.............................................................  26
    

* Numbers in parentheses are cross-references to related sections of the 
  Prospectus.


                                       1
<PAGE>

THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end investment company
as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940. It was formed on February 18,
1986 as a Massachusetts Business Trust and commenced operations on December 5,
1986. The Phoenix Home Life Variable Accumulation Account is a separate account
of Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company ("Phoenix") created on June 21,
1982. The Phoenix Home Life Variable Universal Life Account is a separate
account of Phoenix created on June 17, 1985. The PHL Variable Accumulation
Account is a separate account of PHL Variable Insurance Company ("PHL Variable")
formed on December 7, 1994. The Phoenix Life and Annuity Variable Universal Life
Account is a separate account of Phoenix Life and Annuity Company ("PLAC")
formed in March 1996. The executive offices of the Accounts, Phoenix, PHL
Variable and PLAC are located at One American Row, Hartford, Connecticut. The
Accounts own the majority of the shares of the Fund.


INVESTMENT POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The investment objectives and policies of each Series are described in the
"Investment Objectives and Policies" section of the Prospectus. The following
specific policies supplement the information contained in that section of the
Prospectus.


MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS
    Certain money market instruments used extensively by the Money Market and
Allocation Series are described below. They also may be used by the
International, Real Estate, Theme, Enhanced Index and Asia Series and may be
used by the other Series to a very limited extent to invest otherwise idle cash,
or on a temporary basis for defensive purposes.

    Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase Agreements are agreements by which a
Series purchases a security and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the
seller (a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or, to the extent permitted
by the Investment Company Act of 1940, a recognized securities dealer) that the
seller will repurchase the security at an agreed upon price and date. The resale
price is in excess of the purchase price and reflects an agreed upon market rate
unrelated to the coupon rate on the purchased security. In fact, such a
transaction is a loan of money to the seller of the securities.

    A repurchase transaction is usually accomplished either by crediting the
amount of securities purchased to the account of the custodian of the Fund
maintained in a central depository or book-entry system or by physical delivery
of the securities to the Fund's custodian in return for delivery of the purchase
price to the seller. Repurchase transactions are intended to be short-term
transactions with the seller repurchasing the securities, usually within seven
days.

    Even though repurchase transactions usually do not impose market risks on
the purchasing Series, if the seller of the repurchase agreement defaults and
does not repurchase the underlying securities, the Series might incur a loss if
the value of the underlying securities declines, and disposition costs may be
incurred in connection with liquidating the underlying securities. In addition,
if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced regarding the seller, realization upon
the underlying securities may be delayed or limited, and a loss may be incurred
if the underlying securities decline in value.

    U.S. Government Obligations. Securities issued or guaranteed as to principal
and interest by the United States Government include a variety of Treasury
securities, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of
issuance. Treasury bills have a maturity of one year or less. Treasury notes
have maturities of one to seven years, and Treasury bonds generally have
maturity of greater than five years.

    Agencies of the United States Government which issue or guarantee
obligations include, among others, Export-Import Banks of the United States,
Farmers Home Administration, Federal Housing Administration, Government National
Mortgage Association, Maritime Administration, Small Business Administration and
The Tennessee Valley Authority. Obligations of instrumentalities of the United
States Government include securities issued or guaranteed by, among others, the
Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Banks for
Cooperatives and the U.S. Postal Service. Securities issued or guaranteed by the
Export-Import Bank of the United States, Farmer's Home Administration, Federal
Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association, Maritime
Administration and Small Business Administration are supported by the full faith
and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Securities issued or guaranteed by Federal
National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Banks are supported by the
right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury. Securities issued or guaranteed
by the other agencies or instrumentalities listed above are supported only by
the credit of the issuing agency.

    Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are generally short-term,
interest-bearing negotiable certificates issued by banks or savings and loan
associations against funds deposited in the issuing institution.

    Time Deposits. Time deposits are deposits in a bank or other financial
institution for a specified period of time at a fixed interest rate for which a
negotiable certificate is not received.

    Bankers' Acceptances. A banker's acceptance is a time draft drawn on a
commercial bank by a borrower usually in connection with an international
commercial transaction (to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of
goods). The borrower, as well as the bank, is liable for payment, and the bank
unconditionally guarantees to pay the draft at its face amount on the maturity
date. Most acceptances have maturities of six months or less and are traded in
secondary markets prior to maturity.

    Commercial Paper. Commercial paper refers to short-term, unsecured
promissory notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs.
Commercial paper is usually sold on a discount basis and has a maturity at the
time of issuance not exceeding nine months.

    Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate debt securities with a remaining
maturity of less than one year tend to become extremely liquid and are traded as
money market securities.

    All of the Money Market Series' investments will mature in 397 days or less
and will have a weighted average age of not more than 90 

                                       2
<PAGE>

days. By limiting the maturity of its investments, the Series seeks to
lessen the changes in the value of its assets caused by market factors. This
Series, consistent with its investment objective, will attempt to maximize yield
through portfolio trading. This may involve selling portfolio instruments and
purchasing different instruments to take advantage of disparities of yields in
different segments of the high grade money market or among particular
instruments within the same segment of the market. It is expected that the
Series' portfolio transactions generally will be with issuers or dealers in
money market instruments acting as principal. Accordingly, this Series will
normally not pay any brokerage commissions.

    The value of the securities in the Money Market Series' portfolio can be
expected to vary inversely to changes in prevailing interest rates, with the
amount of such variation depending primarily on the period of time remaining to
maturity of the security. Long-term obligations may fluctuate more in value than
short-term obligations. If interest rates increase after a security is
purchased, the security, if sold, could be sold at a loss. On the other hand, if
interest rates decline after a purchase, the security, if sold, could be sold at
a profit. If, however, the security is held to maturity, no gain or loss will be
realized as a result of interest rate fluctuations, although the day-to-day
valuation of the portfolio could fluctuate. Substantial withdrawals of the
amounts held in the Money Market Series could require it to sell portfolio
securities at a time when a sale might not be favorable. The value of a
portfolio security also may be affected by other factors, including factors
bearing on the credit-worthiness of its issuer. A more detailed discussion of
amortized cost is contained under "Determination of Net Asset Value."


ALLOCATION SERIES: MARKET SEGMENT INVESTMENTS AND TRADING
    Market Segment Investments. The Allocation Series seeks to achieve its
investment objective by investing in the three market segments of stocks, bonds
and money market instruments described below.

    (1)  STOCK--common stocks and other equity-type securities such as preferred
         stocks, securities convertible into common stock and warrants;

    (2)  BONDS--bonds and other debt securities with maturities generally
         exceeding one year, including:

         (a)  publicly offered straight debt securities having a rating within
              the four highest grades as determined by Moody's Investors
              Service, Inc. (Aaa, Aa, A or Baa) or Standard & Poor's Corporation
              (AAA, AA, A or BBB) or, if unrated, those publicly offered
              straight debt securities which are judged by the Account to be of
              equivalent quality to securities so rated;

         (b)  obligations issued, sponsored, assumed or guaranteed as to
              principal and interest by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
              instrumentalities;

         (c)  obligations (payable in U.S. dollars) issued or guaranteed as to
              principal and interest by the Government of Canada or of a
              Province of Canada or any instrumentality or political subdivision
              thereof, provided such obligations have a rating within the
              highest grades as determined by Moody's (Aaa, Aa or A) or Standard
              & Poor's (AAA, AA or A) and do not exceed 25% of the Allocation
              Series' total assets;

         (d)  publicly offered straight debt securities issued or guaranteed by
              a national or state bank or bank holding company (as defined in
              the Federal Bank Holding Company Act, as amended) having a rating
              within the three highest grades as determined by Moody's (Aaa, Aa
              or A) or Standard & Poor's (AAA, AA or A), and certificates of
              deposit of such banks; and

         (e)  high yield, high risk fixed income securities (commonly referred
              to as "junk bonds") having a rating below Baa by Moody's Investors
              Service, Inc. or BBB by Standard & Poor's Corporation or unrated
              securities of comparable quality provided such securities do not
              exceed 5% of the Allocation Series' total assets.

    (3)  MONEY MARKET--money market instruments and other debt securities with
         maturities generally not exceeding one year, including:

         (a)  those money market instruments described in this Statement of 
              Additional Information; and

         (b)  reverse repurchase agreements with respect to any of the foregoing
              obligations. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements in which
              the Series, as the seller of the securities, agrees to repurchase
              them at an agreed time and price. This transaction constitutes a
              borrowing of money by the seller of the securities. The Series
              will maintain sufficient funds in a segregated account with its
              Custodian to repurchase securities pursuant to any outstanding
              reverse repurchase agreement. The Series is required to maintain
              at all times asset coverage of at least 300% for all obligations
              under reverse repurchase agreements.

    Trading. In order to achieve the Series' investment objective, the timing
and amounts of purchases and sales of particular securities and particular types
of securities (i.e., common stock, debt, money market instruments) will be of
significance. As a result, the Allocation Series intends to use trading as a
means of managing the portfolio of the Series in seeking to achieve its
investment objective. Trading is used primarily in anticipation of, or in
response to, market developments or to take advantage of yield disparities. The
Investment Adviser will engage in trading when it believes that the trade, net
of transaction costs, will improve interest income or capital appreciation
potential, or will lessen capital loss potential. Whether these goals will be
achieved through trading depends on the Investment Adviser's ability to evaluate
particular securities and anticipate relevant market factors, including interest
rate trends and variations. Such trading places a premium on the Investment
Adviser's ability to obtain relevant information, evaluate it properly and take
advantage of its evaluations by completing transactions on a favorable basis. If
the Investment Adviser's evaluations and expectations prove to be incorrect, the
Series' income or capital appreciation may be reduced and its capital losses may
be increased. Portfolio trading involves transaction costs, but, as explained 
above, will be engaged in when the Investment 

                                       3
<PAGE>

Adviser believes that the result of the trading, net of transaction costs,
will benefit the Series. Purchases and sales of securities will be made,
whenever necessary in the Investment Adviser's view, to achieve the total return
investment objective of the Series without regard to the resulting brokerage
costs.

    In addition to the traditional investment techniques for purchasing and
selling, and engaging in trading, the Allocation Series may enter into financial
futures and options contracts.


ENHANCED INDEX SERIES
    The investment strategy of the Enhanced Index Series is to earn a total
return modestly in excess of the total return performance of the S&P 500
(including the reinvestment of dividends) while maintaining a volatility of
return similar to the S&P 500. The Series is appropriate for investors who seek
a modestly enhanced total return relative to that of large- and medium-sized
U.S. companies typically represented in the S&P 500. The Portfolio intends to
invest in securities of approximately 350 issuers, which securities are rated by
the Series' Subadviser to have above average expected returns.

    The Series' seeks to achieve its investment objective through fundamental
analysis, systematic stock valuation and disciplined portfolio construction.

o   Fundamental research: The Series' Subadviser's approximately 25 domestic
    equity analysts, each an industry specialist with an average of
    approximately 12 years experience, follow over 900 predominantly large- and
    medium-sized U.S. companies--approximately 550 of which form the universe
    for the Series' investments. A substantial majority of these companies are
    issuers of securities which are included in the S&P 500. The analysts'
    research goal is to forecast normalized, longer term earnings and dividends
    for the companies that they cover.

o   Systematic valuation: The analysts' forecasts are converted into comparable
    expected returns by a dividend discount model, which calculates those
    expected returns by solving for the rate of return that equates the
    company's current stock price to the present value of its estimated
    long-term earnings power. Within each sector, companies are ranked by their
    expected return and grouped into quintiles; those with the highest expected
    returns (Quintile 1) are deemed the most undervalued relative to their
    long-term earnings power, while those with the lowest expected returns
    (Quintile 5) are deemed the most overvalued.

o   Disciplined portfolio construction: A diversified portfolio is constructed
    using disciplined buy and sell rules. Sector weightings will generally
    approximate those of the S&P 500. The Series will normally be principally
    comprised, based on the dividend discount model, of stocks in the first four
    quintiles. Finally, the Series holds a large number of stocks to enhance its
    diversification.

    Under normal market circumstances, the Series' Adviser will invest at least
80% of its net assets in equity securities consisting of common stocks and other
securities with equity characteristics such as trust interests, limited
partnership interests, preferred stocks, warrants, rights and securities
convertible into common stock. The Series' primary equity investments will be
the common stock of large- and medium-sized U.S. companies with market
capitalizations above $1 billion. Such securities will be listed on a national
securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market. The Series may
invest in similar securities of foreign corporations, provided that the
securities of such corporations are included in the S&P 500.

    The Series intends to manage its portfolio actively in pursuit of its
investment objective. Since the Series has a long-term investment perspective,
it does not intend to respond to short-term market fluctuations or to acquire
securities for the purpose of short-term market fluctuations or to acquire
securities for the purpose of short-term trading; however, it may take advantage
of short-term trading opportunities that are consistent with its objective.


FINANCIAL FUTURES AND RELATED OPTIONS
    The Allocation, Value, Growth & Income, Seneca Mid-Cap and Balanced Series
may enter into financial futures contracts for the purchase or sale of debt
obligations which are traded on exchanges that are licensed and regulated by
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

    A futures contract on a debt obligation is a binding contractual commitment
which, if held to maturity, will result in an obligation to make or accept
delivery, during a particular month, of obligations having a standard face value
and rate of return. By entering into a futures contract for the purchase of a
debt obligation, a Series will legally obligate itself to accept delivery of the
underlying security and pay the agreed price. Futures contracts are valued at
the most recent settlement price, unless such price does not reflect the fair
value of the contract, in which case such positions will be valued by or under
the direction of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

    Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity,
but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a
profit or loss. While futures positions taken by a Series usually would be
liquidated in this manner, it may instead make or take delivery of the
underlying securities whenever it appears economically advantageous for it to do
so.

    The purpose of hedging in debt obligations is to establish more certainty
than otherwise would be possible in the effective rate of return on portfolio
securities. A Series might, for example, take a "short" position in the futures
markets by entering into contracts for the future delivery of securities held by
it in order to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates that would
adversely affect the value of such securities. When hedging of this type is
successful, any depreciation in the value of securities will be substantially
offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand,
a Series might take a "long" position by entering into contracts for the future
purchase of securities. This could be done when the Series anticipated the
future purchase of particular debt securities but expects the rate of return
then available in the securities market to be less favorable than rates that are
currently available in the futures markets.

    A Series will incur brokerage fees in connection with its financial futures
transactions, and will be required to deposit and maintain funds with its
custodian in its own name as margin to guarantee performance of its future
obligations.


                                       4
<PAGE>

    While financial futures would be traded to reduce certain risks, futures
trading itself entails certain other risks. One risk arises because of the
imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts
and movements in the price of the debt securities which are the subject of such
contracts. In addition, the market price of futures contracts may be affected by
certain factors, such as the closing out of futures contracts by investors
through offsetting transactions, margin, deposit and maintenance requirements,
and the participation of speculators in the futures market. Another risk is that
there may not be a liquid secondary market on an exchange or board of trade for
a given futures contract or at a given time, and in such event it may not be
possible for the Series to close a futures position. Finally, successful use of
futures contracts by a Series is subject to the Adviser's ability to predict
correctly movements in the direction of interest rates and other factors
affecting the market for debt securities. Thus, while a Series may benefit from
the use of such contracts, the operation of these risk factors may result in a
poorer overall performance for the Series than if it had not entered into any
futures contract.

    A Series is required to maintain at all times an asset coverage of at least
300% for all of its borrowings, which include obligations under any financial
futures contract on a debt obligation or reverse repurchase agreement. In
addition, immediately after entering into a futures contract for the receipt or
delivery of a security, the value of the securities called for by all of the
Series' futures contracts (both for receipts and delivery) will not exceed 10%
of its total assets. A futures contract for the receipt of a debt obligation
will be offset by any asset, including equity securities and non-investment
grade debt so long as the asset is liquid, unencumbered and marked to market
daily held in a segregated account with the custodian bank for the Series in an
amount sufficient to cover the cost of purchasing the obligation.

    International, Enhanced Index, Value, Seneca Mid-Cap, Growth & Income and
Asia Series. The International, Enhanced Index, Value, Seneca Mid-Cap, Growth &
Income and Asia Series may enter into financial futures contracts and related
options as a hedge against anticipated changes in the market value of its
portfolio securities or securities which it intends to purchase or in the
exchange rate of foreign currencies. Hedging is the initiation of an offsetting
position in the futures market which is intended to minimize the risk associated
with a position's underlying securities in the cash market.

    Financial futures contracts consist of interest rate futures contracts,
foreign currency futures contracts and securities index futures contracts. An
interest rate futures contract obligates the seller of the contract to deliver,
and the purchaser to take delivery of, the interest rate securities called for
in the contract at a specified future time and at a specified price. A foreign
currency futures contract obligates the seller of the contract to deliver, and
the purchaser to take delivery of, the foreign currency called for in the
contract at a specified future time and at a specified price. A securities index
assigns relative values to the securities included in the index, and the index
fluctuates with changes in the market values of the securities so included. A
securities index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two
parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified
dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of the
last trading day of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is
originally struck. An option on a financial futures contract gives the purchaser
the right to assume a position in the contract (a long position if the option is
a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise
price at any time during the period of the option.

    The Series may purchase and sell financial futures contracts which are
traded on a recognized exchange or board of trade and may purchase or exchange
board-traded put and call options on financial futures contracts.

    The Series will engage in transactions in financial futures contracts and
related options only for hedging purposes and not for speculation. In addition,
it will not purchase or sell any financial futures contract or related option
if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the cash or U.S. Treasury bills committed
with respect to its existing futures and related options positions and the
premiums paid for related options would exceed 5% of the market value of its
total assets. At the time of the purchase of a futures contract or a call option
on a futures contract, any asset, including equity securities and non-investment
grade debt so long as the asset is liquid, unencumbered and marked to market
daily equal to the market value of the futures contract, minus the initial
margin deposit with respect thereto, will be deposited in a segregated account
with the Fund's custodian bank to collateralize fully the position and thereby
ensure that it is not leveraged. The extent to which the Series may enter into
financial futures contracts and related options also may be limited by
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for qualification as a
regulated investment company.

    Engaging in transactions in financial futures contracts involves certain
risks, such as the possibility of an imperfect correlation between futures
market prices and cash market prices and the possibility that the Adviser or
Subadviser could be incorrect in its expectations as to the direction or extent
of various interest rate movements or foreign currency exchange rates, in which
case the Series' return might have been greater had hedging not taken place.
There also is the risk that a liquid secondary market may not exist. The risk in
purchasing an option on a financial futures contract is that the Series will
lose the premium it paid. Also, there may be circumstances when the purchase of
an option on a financial futures contract would result in a loss to the Series
while the purchase or sale of the contract would not have resulted in a loss.

    Theme Series. The Theme Series may use financial futures contracts and
related options to hedge against changes in the market value of its portfolio
securities which it intends to purchase. Hedging is accomplished when an
investor takes a position in the futures market opposite to his cash market
position. There are two types of hedges--long (or buying) and short (or selling)
hedges. Historically, prices in the futures market have tended to move in
concert with cash market prices, and prices in the futures market have
maintained a fairly predictable relationship to prices in the cash market. Thus,
a decline in the market value of securities in a Series' portfolio may be
protected against to a considerable extent by gains realized on futures
contracts sales. Similarly, it is possible to protect against an increase in the
market price of securities which a Series may wish to purchase in the future by
purchasing futures contracts.

    The Theme Series may purchase or sell any financial futures contracts which
are traded on a recognized exchange or board of 

                                       5
<PAGE>


trade. Financial futures contracts consist of interest rate futures
contracts and securities index futures contracts. A public market presently
exists in interest rate futures contracts covering long-term U.S. Treasury
bonds, U.S. Treasury notes, three-month U.S. Treasury bills and GNMA
certificates. Securities index futures contracts are currently traded with
respect to the S&P 500. A clearing corporation associated with the New York
Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or board of trade on which a financial futures contract
trades assumes responsibility for the completion of transactions and also
guarantees that open futures contracts will be performed.

    In contrast to the situation when such Series purchases or sells a security,
no security is delivered or received by the Series upon the purchase or sale of
a financial futures contract. Initially, this Series will be required to deposit
in a segregated account with its custodian bank an amount of cash, U.S. Treasury
bills or liquid high grade debt obligations. This amount is known as initial
margin and is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the
contract. The current initial deposit required per contract is approximately 5%
of the contract amount. Brokers may establish deposit requirements higher than
this minimum. Subsequent payments, called variation margin, will be made to and
from the account on a daily basis as the price of the futures contract
fluctuates. This process is known as marking to market.

    The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit margin
pursuant to requirements similar to those applicable to futures contracts. Upon
exercise of an option on a futures contract, the delivery of the futures
position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be
accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's margin
account. This amount will be equal to the amount by which the market price of
the futures contract at the time of exercise exceeds, in the case of a call, or
is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the
futures contract. For more information regarding options, see below.

    Although financial futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery
or acceptance of securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out before
the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. Closing out is
accomplished by effecting an offsetting transaction. A futures contract sale is
closed out by effecting a futures contract purchase for the same aggregate
amount of securities and the same delivery date. If the sale price exceeds the
offsetting purchase price, the seller immediately would be paid the difference
and would realize a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale
price, the seller immediately would pay the difference and would realize a loss.
Similarly, a futures contract purchase is closed out by effecting a futures
contract sale for the same securities and the same delivery date. If the
offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the purchaser would realize a
gain, whereas if the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, the
purchaser would realize a loss.

    The Theme Series will pay commissions on financial futures contracts and
related options transactions. These commissions may be higher than those which
would apply to purchases and sales of securities directly.


OPTIONS
    MONEY MARKET, GROWTH, BALANCED, INTERNATIONAL, MULTI-SECTOR, ALLOCATION,
THEME, ENHANCED INDEX, SENECA MID-CAP, GROWTH & INCOME, VALUE AND ASIA SERIES:
    Writing Covered Call Options. The Multi-Sector, Money Market, Growth,
Balanced, Allocation, Theme, Enhanced Index, International, Seneca Mid-Cap,
Growth & Income, Value and Asia Series may write (sell) covered call options on
securities owned by them, including securities into which convertible securities
are convertible, provided that such call options are listed on a national
securities exchange.

    A call option gives the holder the right to buy a security at a specified
price (the exercise price) for a stated period of time. Prior to the expiration
of the option, the seller of the option has an obligation to sell the underlying
security to the holder of the option at the original price specified regardless
of the market price of the security at the time the option is exercised. The
seller of the call option receives a cash payment (premium) at the time of sale,
which premium is retained by the seller whether or not the option is exercised.
The premium represents consideration to the seller for undertaking the
obligations under the option contract and thereby foregoing the opportunity to
profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying security above the
exercise price (except insofar as the premium represents such a profit).

    A call option may be purchased to terminate a call option previously
written. The premium paid in connection with the purchase of a call option may
be more than, equal to or less than the premium received upon writing the call
option which is being terminated.

    When a Series writes a covered call option, an amount equal to the premium
received by it is included in assets of the Series offset by an equivalent
liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked to market to
reflect the current market value of the option written. Market value is the last
sale price of the options on the NYSE on which it is traded, or in absence of a
sale, the mean between last bid and offer prices. If an option which the Series
has written either expires or enters into a closing purchase transaction, the
Series realizes a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction
exceeds the premium received when the option was sold) without regard to any
unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security, and the liability related to
such option is extinguished.

    In order to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund intends to limit gains
from the sale of securities held or deemed held for less than three months to
less than 30% of annual gross income. Accordingly, the Fund may be restricted in
the selling of securities which have been held less than three months, in the
writing of options on securities into which convertible securities are
convertible, in the writing of options on securities which have been held for
six months or less, in the writing of options which expire in less than three
months and in purchasing options to terminate options which it wrote within the
preceding three months. In this regard, the Fund can minimize the possibility of
a suspended holding period for purposes of the 30 percent rule to the extent the
Fund limits its covered call writing to options with more than 30 days to
expiration that are not "deep in the money" and that satisfy certain other 
requirements such 

                                       6
<PAGE>

that they will constitute "qualified covered call options" as defined in
Section 1092(c)(4)(B) of the Code, as recently enacted.

    An option is generally considered to be "in the money" if the striking price
under the option is less than the currently prevailing price of the stock
covered by the option so that there is a built-in discount or intrinsic value to
the option. Section 1092(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code sets forth complex
rules defining options which are "deep in the money." These rules vary in their
application depending upon the prevailing stock price and the stock price under
option contracts available in the market, but are designed to provide objective
rules to classify as "deep in the money" options those options whose primary
value is attributable to their built-in discount or intrinsic value.

    Premium income earned with respect to a qualified covered call option
contract which lapses or experiences gain or loss from such an option contract
which is closed out (other than by exercise) generally will be short-term
capital gain or loss. Further, gain or loss with respect to the exercise of such
an option contract generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the
actual or deemed holding period of the underlying security. However, any loss
realized from writing a "qualified covered call option" which has a strike price
that is less than the applicable security price as defined in Section
1092(c)(4)(G) of the Code will be treated as a long-term capital loss, if gain
from the sale of the underlying security at the time the loss is realized would
be long-term capital gain. Also, with respect to such options, the holding
period of the underlying security will not include any period during which the
Fund has a written option outstanding.

    Buying Call and Put Options. The Allocation, Balanced, Enhanced Index,
Value, Growth & Income, Seneca Mid-Cap and Theme Series may buy national
exchange-traded call and put options on equity and debt securities and on
various stock market indexes. The Money Market, Growth and Multi-Sector Series
may purchase a call option only to terminate a call option previously written.
(See "Writing Covered Call Options" above for a description of call options.)

    A put option on equity or debt securities gives the holder the right to sell
such a security at a specified price (the exercise price) for a stated period of
time. Prior to the expiration of the option, the seller of the option has an
obligation to buy the underlying security from the holder of the option at the
original price specified regardless of the market price of the security at the
time the option is exercised.

    Call and put options on stock market indexes operate the same way as call
and put options on equity or debt securities except that they are settled in
cash. In effect, the holder of a call option on a stock market index has the
right to buy the value represented by the index at a specified price for a
stated period of time. Conversely, the holder of a put option on a stock market
index has the right to sell the value represented by the index for a specified
price for a stated period of time. To be settled in cash means that if the
option is exercised, the difference in the current value of the stock market
index and the exercise value must be paid in cash. For example, if a call option
was bought on the XYZ stock market index with an exercise price of $100
(assuming the current value of the index is 110 points, with each point equal to
$1.00), the holder of the call option could exercise the option and receive $10
(110 points minus 100 points) from the seller of the option. If the index equals
90 points, the holder of the option receives nothing.

    The seller of an option receives a cash payment (premium) at the time of
sale, which premium is retained by the seller whether or not the option is
exercised. The premium represents consideration to the seller for undertaking
the obligation under the option contract. In the case of call options, the
premium compensates the seller for the loss of the opportunity to profit from
any increase in the value of the security or the index. The premium to a seller
of a put option compensates the seller for the risk assumed in connection with a
decline in the value of the security or index.

    A Series may close an open call or put option position by selling a call
option, in the case of an open call position, or a put option, in the case of an
open put option, which is the same as the option being closed. The Series will
receive a premium for selling such an option. The premium received may be more
than, equal to or less than the premium paid by the Series when it bought the
option which is being closed.

    Immediately after entering into an opening option position the total value
of all open option positions based on exercise price will not exceed ten percent
(10%) of the Allocation or Balanced Series' total assets. The premium paid by
the Series for the purchase of a call or a put option and the expiration or
closing sale transaction with respect to such options are treated in a manner
analogous to that described above, except there is no liability created to the
Series. The premium paid for any such option is included in assets and marked to
the market value on a current basis. If the options expire the Series will
realize a short-term loss on the amount of the cost of the option. If a
purchased put or call option is closed out by the Series entering into a closing
sale transaction, the Series will realize a short-term gain or loss, depending
upon whether the sale proceeds from the closing sale transaction are greater or
less than cost of the put or call option.


INTERNATIONAL, THEME, ENHANCED INDEX, SENECA MID-CAP, VALUE, GROWTH & INCOME AND
ASIA SERIES:
    In furtherance of its objectives, the International, Theme, Enhanced Index,
Seneca Mid-Cap, Value, Growth & Income and Asia Series may write covered call
options and purchase call and put options on securities. In addition, the Series
may write secured put options and enter into option transactions on foreign
currency.

    Writing (Selling) Call and Put Options. A call option on a security or a
foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium
paid to the writer (seller), the right to buy the underlying security or foreign
currency at the exercise price at any time during the option period. Upon
exercise by the purchaser, the writer of a call option has the obligation to
sell the underlying security or foreign security, except that the value of the
option depends on the weighted value of the group of securities comprising the
index and all settlements are made in cash. A call option may be terminated by
the writer (seller) by entering into a closing purchase transaction in which it
purchases an option of the same series as the option previously written.

    A put option on a security or foreign currency gives the purchaser of the
option, in return for the premium paid to the writer (seller), the right to sell
the underlying security or foreign currency at the exercise

                                       7
<PAGE>

price at any time during the option period. Upon exercise by the purchaser,
the writer of a put option has the obligation to purchase the underlying
security or foreign currency at the exercise price. A put option on a securities
index is similar to a put option on an individual security, except that the
value of the options depends on the weighted value of the group of securities
comprising the index and all settlements are made in cash.

    The Series may write exchange-traded call options on its securities. Call
options may be written on portfolio securities and on securities indices, and on
foreign currencies. The Series may, with respect to securities and foreign
currencies, write call and put options on an exchange or over the counter. Call
options on portfolio securities will be covered since the Series will own the
underlying securities or other securities that are acceptable for escrow at all
times during the option period. Call options on securities indices will be
written only to hedge in an economically appropriate way portfolio securities
which are not otherwise hedged with options or financial futures contracts and
will be "covered" by identifying the specific portfolio securities being hedged.
Call options on foreign currencies and put options on securities and foreign
currencies will be covered by securities acceptable for escrow. The Series may
not write options on more than 50% of its total assets. Management presently
intends to cease writing options if and as long as 25% of such total assets are
subject to outstanding options contract.

    The Series will write call and put options in order to obtain a return on
its investments from the premiums received and will retain the premiums whether
or not the options are exercised. Any decline in the market value of portfolio
securities or foreign currencies will be offset to the extent of the premiums
received (net of transaction costs). If an option is exercised, the premium
received on the option will effectively increase the exercise price or reduce
the difference between the exercise price and market value.

    During the option period, the writer of a call option gives up the
opportunity for appreciation in the market value of the underlying security or
currency above the exercise price. It retains the risk of loss should the price
of the underlying security or foreign currency decline. Writing call options
also involves risks relating to the Series' ability to close out options it has
written.

    During the option period, the writer of a put option has assumed the risk
that the price of the underlying security or foreign currency will decline below
the exercise price. However, the writer of the put option has retained the
opportunity for any appreciation above the exercise price should the market
price of the underlying security or foreign currency increase. Writing put
options also involves risks relating to a Portfolio's ability to close out
options it has written.

    Purchasing Call and Put Options, Warrants and Stock Rights. The
International, Theme, Enhanced Index, Growth & Income and Asia Series may invest
up to an aggregate of 5% of its total assets in exchange-traded or
over-the-counter call and put options on securities and securities indices and
foreign currencies. Purchases of such options may be made for the purpose of
hedging against changes in the market value of the underlying securities or
foreign currencies. The Series will invest in call and put options whenever, in
the opinion of the Adviser or Subadviser, a hedging transaction is consistent
with its investment objectives. The Series may sell a call option or a put
option which it has previously purchased prior to the purchase (in the case of a
call) or the sale (in the case of a put) of the underlying security or foreign
currency. Any such sale would result in a net gain or loss depending on whether
the amount received on the sale is more or less than the premium and other
transaction costs paid on the call or put which is sold. Purchasing a call or
put option involves the risk that the Series may lose the premium it paid plus
transaction costs.

    Warrants and stock rights are almost identical to call options in their
nature, use and effect except that they are issued by the issuer of the
underlying security, rather than an option writer, and they generally have
longer expiration dates than call options. The International, Theme, Enhanced
Index, Growth & Income and Asia Series intend to invest up to 5% of its net
assets in warrants and stock rights, but no more than 2% of its net assets in
warrants and stock rights not listed on the NYSE or the American Stock Exchange.

    Over-the-Counter ("OTC") Options. OTC options differ from exchange-traded
options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not
with a clearing corporation, and there is a risk of non-performance by the
dealer. However, the premium is paid in advance by the dealer. OTC options are
available for a greater variety of securities and foreign currencies, and in a
wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than exchange-traded
options. Since there is no exchange, pricing is normally done by reference to
information from a market maker, which information is carefully monitored or
caused to be monitored by the Adviser or Subadviser and verified in appropriate
cases.

    A writer or purchaser of a put or call option can terminate it voluntarily
only by entering into a closing transaction. In the case of OTC options, there
can be no assurance that a continuous liquid secondary market will exist for any
particular option at any specific time. Consequently, the International Series
may be able to realize the value of an OTC option it has purchased only by
exercising it or entering into a closing sale transaction with the dealer that
issued it. Similarly, when the Series writes an OTC option, it generally can
close out that option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing
purchase transaction with the dealer to which it originally wrote the option. If
a covered call option writer cannot effect a closing transaction, it cannot sell
the underlying security or foreign currency until the option expires or the
option is exercised. Therefore, the writer of a covered OTC call option may not
be able to sell an underlying security even though it otherwise might be
advantageous to do so. Likewise, the writer of a secured OTC put option may be
unable to sell the securities pledged to secure the put for other investment
purposes while it is obligated as a put writer. Similarly, a purchaser of an OTC
put or call option also might find it difficult to terminate its position on a
timely basis in the absence of a secondary market.

    The Fund understands the position of the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to be that purchased OTC options and the assets
used as "cover" for written OTC options are illiquid securities. Although the
Subadviser has found that dealers with which they will engage in OTC options
transactions are generally agreeable to and capable of entering into closing
transactions, the Fund has adopted procedures for engaging in OTC options

                                       8
<PAGE>
transactions for the purpose of reducing any potential adverse effect of such
transactions upon the liquidity of the International Series.

    The Fund will engage in OTC options transactions only with dealers that meet
certain credit and other criteria established by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund. The Fund and the Adviser believe that the approved dealers present minimal
credit risks to the Fund and, therefore, should be able to enter into closing
transactions if necessary. The Fund currently will not engage in OTC options
transactions if the amount invested by the Fund in OTC options, plus a
"liquidity charge" related to OTC options written by the Fund in illiquid
securities plus any other portfolio securities considered to be illiquid, would
exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets. The "liquidity charge" referred to above
is computed as described below.

    The Fund anticipates entering into agreements with dealers to which the Fund
sells OTC options. Under these agreements the Fund would have the absolute right
to repurchase the OTC options from the dealer at any time at a price no greater
than a price established under the agreements (the "Repurchase Price"). The
"liquidity charge" referred to above for a specific OTC option transaction will
be the Repurchase Price related to the OTC option less the intrinsic value of
the OTC option. The intrinsic value of an OTC call option for such purposes will
be the amount by which the current market value of the underlying security
exceeds the exercise price. In the case of an OTC put option, intrinsic value
will be the amount by which the exercise price exceeds the current market value
of the underlying security. If there is no such agreement requiring a dealer to
allow the Fund to repurchase a specific OTC option written by the Fund, the
"liquidity charge" will be the current market value of the assets serving as
"cover" for such OTC option.


FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
    For each Series investing in foreign securities, the value of the assets of
such Series as measured in United States dollars may be affected favorably or
unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control
regulations, and a Series may incur costs in connection with conversions between
various currencies. A Series will conduct its foreign currency exchange
transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in
the foreign currency exchange market, or through forward contracts to purchase
or sell foreign currencies. A forward foreign currency exchange contract
involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date,
which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon
by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are
traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and
their customers. At the time of the purchase of a forward foreign currency
exchange contract, any asset, including equity securities and non-investment
grade debt so long as the asset is liquid, unencumbered and marked to market
daily equal to the market value of the contract, minus the Series' initial
margin deposit with respect thereto, will be deposited in a segregated account
with the Fund's custodian bank to collateralize fully the position and thereby
ensure that it is not leveraged.

    When a Series enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security
denominated in a foreign currency, it may want to establish the United States
dollar cost or proceeds, as the case may be. By entering into a forward contract
in United States dollars for the purchase or sale of the amount of foreign
currency involved in the underlying security transaction, a Series is able to
protect itself against a possible loss between trade and settlement dates
resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the United States
dollar and such foreign currency. However, this tends to limit potential gains
which might result from a positive change in such currency relationships. The
International and Asia Series also may hedge its foreign currency exchange rate
risk by engaging in currency financial futures and options transactions.

    When the Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country
may suffer a substantial decline against the United States dollar, it may enter
into a forward contract to sell an amount of foreign currency approximating the
value of some or all of a Series' portfolio securities denominated in such
foreign currency. The forecasting of short-term currency market movement is
extremely difficult and whether such a short-term hedging strategy will be
successful is highly uncertain.

    It is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio
securities at the expiration of a contract. Accordingly, it may be necessary for
a Series to purchase additional currency on the spot market (and bear the
expense of such purchase) if the market value of the security is less than the
amount of foreign currency the Series is obligated to deliver when a decision is
made to sell the security and make delivery of the foreign currency in
settlement of a forward contract. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the
spot market some of the foreign currency received upon the sale of the portfolio
security if its market value exceeds the amount of foreign currency the Series
is obligated to deliver.

    If the Series retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting
transaction, it will incur a gain or a loss (as described below) to the extent
that there has been movement in forward contract prices. If the Series engages
in an offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward
contract to sell the foreign currency. Should forward prices decline during the
period between the Series' entering into a forward contract for the sale of a
foreign currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the
purchase of the foreign currency, the Series would realize gain to the extent
the price of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the
currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward prices increase, the Series
would suffer a loss to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to
purchase exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to sell. Although such
contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the
hedged currency, they also tend to limit any potential gain which might result
should the value of such currency increase. The Series will have to convert
holdings of foreign currencies into United States dollars from time to time.
Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do
realize a profit based on the difference (the "spread") between the prices at
which they are buying and selling various currencies.


ZERO AND DEFERRED COUPON DEBT SECURITIES
    The Multi-Sector and Seneca Mid-Cap Series may invest in debt obligations
that do not make any interest payments for a specified period of time prior to
maturity ("deferred coupon" obligations) or until maturity ("zero coupon" 
obligations). Because deferred and zero

                                       9
<PAGE>

coupon bonds do not make interest payments for a certain period of time, they 
are purchased by the Series at a deep discount and their value fluctuates more
in response to interest rate changes than does the value of debt obligations 
that make current interest payments. The degree of fluctuation with interest 
rate changes is greater when the deferred period is longer. Therefore, there is
a risk that the value of the Series' shares may decline more as a result of an
increase in interest rates than would be the case if the Series did not invest
in deferred or zero coupon bonds.


REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
    As described in the Prospectus, the Real Estate Series intends under normal
conditions to invest in real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). REITs pool
investors' funds for investment primarily in income-producing commercial real
estate or real estate related loans. A REIT is not taxed on income distributed
to shareholders if it complies with several requirements relating to its
organization, ownership, assets, and income and a requirement that it distribute
to its shareholders at least 95% of its taxable income (other than net capital
gains) for each taxable year.

    REITs generally can be classified as follows:

    --Equity REITs, which invest the majority of their assets directly in real
      property and derive their income primarily from rents. Equity REITs can
      also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in
      value.

    --Mortgage REITs, which invest the majority of their assets in real estate
      mortgages and derive their income primarily from interest payments.

    --Hybrid REITs, which combine the characteristics of both equity REITs and
      mortgage REITs.

    REITs are like closed-end investment companies in that they are essentially
holding companies which rely on professional managers to supervise their
investments. A shareholder in the Real Estate Series should realize that by
investing in REITs indirectly through the Series, he will bear not only his
proportionate share of the expenses of the Series, but also, indirectly similar
expenses of underlying REITs.


DEBT SECURITIES
    Up to 25% of the Real Estate Series total assets may be invested in debt
securities (which include for purposes of this investment policy convertible
debt securities which PRS believes have attractive equity characteristics). The
Real Estate Series may invest in debt securities rated BBB or better by Standard
& Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or Baa or better by Moody's Investor Service, Inc.
("Moody's") or, if not rated, are judged to be of comparable quality as
determined by PRS. In choosing debt securities for purchase by the Portfolio,
PRS will employ the same analytical and valuation techniques utilized in
managing the equity portion of the Real Estate Series holdings (see "Investment
Advisory and Other Services") and will invest in debt securities only of
companies that satisfy PRS' investment criteria.

    The value of the Real Estate Series investments in debt securities will
change as interest rates fluctuate. When interest rates decline, the values of
such securities generally can be expected to increase and when interest rates
rise, the values of such securities generally can be expected to decrease. The
lower-rated and comparable unrated debt securities described above are subject
to greater risks of loss of income and principal than are higher-rated fixed
income securities. The market value of lower-rated securities generally tends to
reflect the market's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and
short-term market developments to a greater extent than is the case with more
highly rated securities, which reflect primarily functions in general levels of
interest rates.


JUNK BONDS
    The International and Allocation Series may invest up to 10% and 5%,
respectively, of total net assets in non-investment grade debt securities. The
market prices of such lower rated securities generally fluctuate in response to
changes in interest rates and economic conditions more than those of higher
rated securities. Additionally, there is a greater possibility that an adverse
change in the financial condition of an issuer, particularly a higher leveraged
issuer, may affect its ability to make payments of income and principal and
increase the expenses of the Series seeking recovery from the issuer. Lower
rated securities may be thinly traded and less liquid than higher rated
securities and therefore harder to value and more susceptible to adverse
publicity concerning the issuer.


REAL ESTATE SECURITIES
    The Real Estate Series will not invest in real estate directly, but only in
securities issued by real estate companies. However, the portfolio may be
subject to risks similar to those associated with the direct ownership of real
estate because of its policy of concentrating in the securities of companies in
the real estate industry. These include declines in the value of real estate,
risks related to general and local economic conditions, dependence on management
skill, cash flow dependence, possible lack of availability of long-term mortgage
funds, over-building, extended vacancies of properties, decreased occupancy
rates and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating
expenses, changes in neighborhood values and the appeal of the properties to
tenants and changes in interest rates.

    Selecting REITs requires an evaluation of the merits of each type of asset a
particular REIT owns, as well as regional and local economics. Due to the
proliferation of REITs in recent years and the relative lack of sophistication
of certain REIT managers, the quality of REIT assets has varied significantly.

    In addition to these risks, equity REITs may be affected by changes in the
value of the underlying properties owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may
be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage
REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally are not diversified.
Equity and mortgage REITs also are subject to potential defaults by borrowers,
self-liquidation and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status
of income under the Code and failing to maintain exemption from the Investment
Company Act of 1940. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT
may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may
incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition,
investment in REITs could cause the Series to possibly fail to qualify as a 
regulated investment company.

                                       10
<PAGE>


EMERGING MARKET SECURITIES
    The Asia Series may invest in countries or regions with relatively low gross
national product per capita compared to the world's major economies, and in
countries or regions with the potential for rapid economic growth (emerging
markets). Emerging markets in Asia will include countries: (i) having an
"emerging stock market" as defined by the International Finance Corporation;
(ii) with low- to middle-income economies according to the International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development (the "World Bank"); (iii) listed in World
Bank publications as developing; or (iv) determined by the Adviser to be an
emerging market as defined above. The Series also may invest in securities of:
(i) companies the principal securities trading market for which is an emerging
market country; (ii) companies organized under the laws of, and with a principal
office in, an emerging market country; or (iii) companies whose principal
activities are located in emerging market countries.

    The risks of investing in foreign securities may be intensified in the case
of investments in emerging markets. Securities of many issuers in emerging
markets may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable
domestic issuers. Emerging markets also have different clearance and settlement
procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have
been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it
difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in
temporary periods when a portion of the assets of the Series is uninvested and
no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Series to make intended
security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Series to miss
attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio
securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the
Series due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if
the Series has entered into a contract to sell the security, in possible
liability to the purchaser. Securities prices in emerging markets can be
significantly more volatile than in the more developed nations of the world,
reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established markets
and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets may have
relatively unstable governments, present the risk of nationalization of
businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership or prohibitions of repatriation of
assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed
countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be predominantly
based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or
global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens
or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of
securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading
volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of substantial holdings difficult
or impossible at times. Securities of issuers located in countries with emerging
markets may have limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or
erratic price movements.

    Certain emerging markets may require governmental approval for the
repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of
securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in an
emerging market's balance of payments or for other reasons, a country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Series could
be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required
governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application
to the Series any restrictions on investments. Investments in certain foreign
emerging market debt obligations may be restricted or controlled to varying
degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times preclude investment in
certain foreign emerging market debt obligations and increase the expenses of
the Series.

    ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS. As a result of its investments in foreign
securities, the Series may receive interest or dividend payments, or the
proceeds of the sale or redemption of such securities, in the foreign currencies
in which such securities are denominated. In that event, the Series may convert
such currencies into dollars at the then current exchange rate. Under certain
circumstances, however, such as where the Adviser believes that the applicable
rate is unfavorable at the time the currencies are received or the Adviser
anticipates, for any other reason, that the NYSE rate will improve, the Series
may hold such currencies for an indefinite period of time.

    In addition, the Series may be required to receive delivery of the foreign
currency underlying forward foreign currency contracts it has entered into. This
could occur, for example, if an option written by the Fund is exercised or the
Fund is unable to close out a forward contract. The Series may hold foreign
currency in anticipation of purchasing foreign securities. The Series also may
elect to take delivery of the currencies underlying options or forward contracts
if, in the judgment of the Adviser, it is in the best interest of the Series to
do so. In such instances as well, the Series may convert the foreign currencies
to dollars at the then current exchange rate, or may hold such currencies for an
indefinite period of time.

    While the holding of currencies will permit the Series to take advantage of
favorable movements in the applicable exchange rate, it also exposes the Series
to risk of loss if such rates move in a direction adverse to the Series'
position. Such losses could reduce any profits or increase any losses sustained
by the Series from the sale or redemption of securities, and could reduce the
dollar value of interest or dividend payments received. In addition, the holding
of currencies could adversely affect the Series' profit or loss on currency
options or forward contracts, as well as its hedging strategies.


WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
    The Enhanced Index and Seneca Mid-Cap Series may purchase securities on a
when-issued basis. New issues of certain securities are offered on a when-issued
basis, that is, delivery and payment for the securities normally takes place 15
to 45 days or more after the date of the commitment to purchase. The payment
obligation and the interest rate, if any, that will be received on the
securities are each fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. The
Series will generally make a commitment to purchase such securities with the
intention of actually acquiring the securities. However, the Series may sell
these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable as a
matter of investment strategy. When the Series purchases securities on a
when-issued basis, cash or liquid high quality debt securities equal in value to
commitments for the when-issued securities will be deposited in a segregated
account with the Series' custodian bank. Such segregated securities either will 
mature or, if necessary, be sold on or before the settlement date.

                                       11
<PAGE>

    Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are subject to changes in market
value. Therefore, to the extent the Series remains substantially fully invested
at the same time that they have purchased securities on a when-issued basis,
there will be greater fluctuations in the net asset values than if the Series
merely set aside cash to pay for when-issued securities. In addition, there will
be a greater potential for the realization of capital gains. When the time comes
to pay for when-issued securities, the Series will meet its obligations from
then available cash flow, the sales of securities or, although it would not
normally expect to do so, from the sale of the when-issued securities themselves
(which may have a value greater or less than the payment obligation). Lastly,
investing in when-issued securities includes the risk that the securities may
never be issued; in which event the Series may incur expenses associated with
unwinding such transactions.


INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATIONS
    For the purposes of establishing industry classifications for the Theme
Series, the Adviser utilizes the William O'Neil & Co., Inc. Industry Group
Index. The William O'Neil & Co., Inc. Industry Group Index is presently
comprised of 197 industry classifications. Classifications are determined based
on the following broad sectors: Basic Material, Energy, Capital Equipment,
Technology, Consumer Cyclical, Retail, Consumer Staple, Health Care,
Transportation, Financial and Utilities. Sectors are then divided into industry
groups based upon income sources and other economically relevant criteria as
determined by O'Neil & Co., Inc.


INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Fund's fundamental policies as they affect any Series cannot be changed
without the approval of a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of such
Series, which is the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting securities of such
Series present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
voting securities of such Series are present or represented by proxy or (ii)
more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such Series. A proposed
change in fundamental policy or investment objective will be deemed to have been
effectively acted upon by any Series if a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of that Series votes for the approval of the proposal as provided
above, notwithstanding (1) that such matter has not been approved by a majority
of the outstanding securities of any other Series affected by such matter and
(2) that such matter has not been approved by a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund.

    The following investment restrictions are fundamental policies of the Fund
with respect to all Series and may not be changed except as described above. The
Fund may not:

     (1) Purchase real estate or any interest therein, except through the
         purchase of corporate or certain government securities (including
         securities secured by a mortgage or a leasehold interest or other
         interest in real estate). A security issued by a real estate or
         mortgage investment trust is not treated as an interest in real estate.
         The Real Estate Series may, however, invest in mortgage-backed
         securities.

     (2) Make loans other than loans of securities secured by cash or cash
         equivalents for the full value of the securities; any interest earned
         from securities lending will inure to the benefit of the Series which
         holds such securities. However, the purchase of debt securities which
         are ordinarily purchased by financial institutions are not considered
         the loaning of money.

     (3) Invest in commodities or in commodity contracts or in options,
         provided, however, that it may write covered call option contracts; and
         provided further, that the Allocation, Balanced, Value, Growth & Income
         and Seneca Mid-Cap Series may enter into financial futures contracts to
         purchase and sell debt obligations and may buy call and put options on
         securities and stock market indexes; and provided further, that the
         International and Asia Series may purchase call and put options on
         securities, engage in financial futures contracts and related options
         transactions, write secured put options, and enter into foreign
         currency and foreign currency options transactions.

     (4) Engage in the underwriting of securities of other issuers, except to
         the extent any Series may be deemed an underwriter in selling as part
         of an offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933 securities
         which it has acquired. The International and Asia Series will buy and
         sell securities outside the United States that are not registered with
         the SEC or marketable in the United States.

     (5) Borrow money, except as a temporary measure where such borrowing would
         not exceed 25% of the market value of total assets at the time each
         such borrowing is made. However, the Fund may borrow money for any
         general purpose from a bank provided such borrowing does not exceed 10%
         of the net asset value of the Fund, not considering any such borrowings
         as liabilities. The Allocation, International and Asia Series may
         borrow money to the extent of financial futures transactions and
         reverse repurchase agreements, provided that such borrowings are
         limited to 33 1/3% of the value of the total assets of the Series.

     (6) Invest in illiquid securities in an amount greater than 15% of the net 
         asset value of any Series' portfolio at the time any such investment 
         is made.

     (7) Purchase securities on margin, except for short-term credits as may be
         necessary for the clearance of purchases or sales of securities, or to
         effect a short sale of any security. (The deposit of "maintenance
         margin" in connection with financial futures contracts is not
         considered the purchase of a security on margin.)

     (8) Invest for the purpose of exercising control over or management of any
         company.

     (9) Unless received as a dividend or as a result of an offer of exchange
         approved by the SEC or of a plan of reorganization, purchase or
         otherwise acquire any security issued by an investment company if the 
         Series would immediately thereafter own (a) more than 3% of the 
         outstanding voting stock of the investment company, (b) securities of 
         the investment company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of 
         the Series' total assets, (c)

                                       12
<PAGE>

         securities of investment companies having an aggregate value in excess
         of 10% of the Series' total assets or (d) together with investment
         companies having the same investment adviser as the Fund (and companies
         controlled by such investment companies), more than 10% of the
         outstanding voting stock of any registered closed-end investment
         company.

    (10) (a) Invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market value at
         the time of each investment) in the securities (other than United
         States government or government agency securities or in the case of the
         International and Asia Series, other than foreign government
         securities), or, with respect to the Allocation and Balanced Series,
         call or put options contracts and financial futures contracts of any
         one issuer (including repurchase agreements with any one bank); and (b)
         purchase more than either (i) 10% in principal amount of the
         outstanding debt securities of an issuer (the foregoing restriction
         being inapplicable to the Real Estate Series) or (ii) 10% of the
         outstanding voting securities of an issuer, except that such
         restrictions shall not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the
         United States government or its agencies, bank money instruments or
         bank repurchase agreements. The International Series will, with respect
         to 75% of its assets, limit its investment in the securities of any one
         foreign government, its agencies or instrumentalities, to 5% of the
         Series' total assets.

    (11) Concentrate the portfolio investments in any one industry (the
         foregoing restriction being inapplicable to the Real Estate Series). No
         security may be purchased for a Series if such purchase would cause the
         value of the aggregate investment in any one industry to exceed 25% of
         the Fund's total assets. However, the Money Market Series and
         Allocation Series may invest more than 25% of their assets in the
         banking industry. The Real Estate Series may invest not less than 75%
         of its assets in the real estate industry.

    (12) Issue senior securities.

    (13) Enter into repurchase agreements which would cause more than 10% of any
         Series' net assets (taken at market value) to be subject to repurchase
         agreements maturing in more than seven days.


PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The portfolio turnover rate of each Series is calculated by dividing the
lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities during the fiscal year by
the monthly average of the value of the Series' securities (excluding all
securities, including options, with maturities at the time of acquisition of one
year or less). All long-term securities, including long-term U.S. Government
securities, are included. A high rate of portfolio turnover generally involves
correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses, which must be borne
directly by the Series. Turnover rates may vary greatly from year to year as
well as within a particular year and also may be affected by cash requirements
for redemptions of each Series' shares by requirements which enable the Fund to
receive certain favorable tax treatments. The portfolio turnover rates for each
Series (other than the Money Market, Enhanced Index, Nifty Fifty, Seneca
Mid-Cap, Growth & Income, Value and Schafer Mid-Cap Series) are set forth under
"Financial Highlights" in the Prospectus.

BALANCED SERIES
    In the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996, the
turnover rates for the equity portion of the Balanced Series were 256% and 288%,
respectively. The turnover rates for the fixed income securities were 175% and
117%, respectively for the same periods.

ALLOCATION SERIES
    In the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996, the
turnover rates for the equity portion of the Allocation Series were 195% and
280%, respectively. The turnover rates for the fixed income securities were 112%
and 253%, respectively for the same periods.


                             MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

    The Trustees and executive officers of the Fund and their principal
occupations for the last five years are set forth below. Unless otherwise noted,
the address of each executive officer and Trustee is 56 Prospect Street,
Hartford, Connecticut 06115. The Trustees and executive officers are listed
below.

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                      <C>    
                                 POSITION(S)              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS                 WITH THE FUND            DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------                 -------------            ----------------------

Robert Chesek (63)               Trustee                  Trustee/Director (1981-present) and Chairman (1989-1994), Phoenix Funds.
49 Old Post Road                                          Trustee, Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and Phoenix Duff & Phelps
Wethersfield, CT 06109                                    Institutional Mutual Funds (1996-present).  Vice President, Common Stock,
                                                          Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company (1980-1994).  Director/Trustee,
                                                          the National Affiliated Investment Companies (until 1993).

</TABLE>

                                       13
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                      <C>    
                                 POSITION(S)              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS                 WITH THE FUND            DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------                 -------------            ----------------------

   
E. Virgil Conway (68)            Trustee                  Chairman, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (1992-present).
9 Rittenhouse Road                                        Trustee/Director, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (1970-
Bronxville, NY 10708                                      present), Pace University (1978-present), Atlantic Mutual Insurance 
                                                          Company (1974-present), HRE Properties (1989-present), Greater New York 
                                                          Councils, Boy Scouts of America (1985-present), Union Pacific Corp. 
                                                          (1978-present), Blackrock Freddie Mac Mortgage Securities Fund (Advisory 
                                                          Director) (1990-present), Centennial Insurance Company (1974-present),
                                                          Josiah Macy, Jr., Foundation (1975-present), The Harlem Youth Development
                                                          Foundation (1987-present), Accuhealth (1994-present), Trism, Inc. (1994-
                                                          present), Realty Foundation of New York (1972-present), New York Housing 
                                                          Partnership Development Corp. (Chairman) (1981-present) and Fund
                                                          Directions (Advisory Director) (1993-present). Director/Trustee, Phoenix 
                                                          Funds (1993-present). Trustee, Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and Phoenix 
                                                          Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds (1996-present). Director, Duff & 
                                                          Phelps Utilities Tax-Free Income Inc. and Duff & Phelps Utility and 
                                                          Corporate Bond Trust Inc. (1995-present). Member, Audit Committee of the
                                                          City of New York (1981-1996). Advisory Director, Blackrock Fannie Mae 
                                                          Mortgage Securities Fund (1989-1996). Member (1990-1995), Chairman 
                                                          (1992-1995), Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council. 
                                                          Director/Trustee, the National Affiliated Investment Companies (until 
                                                          1993).
    

Harry Dalzell-Payne (68)         Trustee                  Director/Trustee, Phoenix Funds (1983-present). Trustee,
330 East 39th Street                                      Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional
Apartment 29G                                             Mutual Funds (1996-present). Director, Duff & Phelps Utilities Tax-Free
New York, NY 10016                                        Income Inc. and Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc.
                                                          (1995-present). Director, Farragut Mortgage Co., Inc. (1991-1994).
                                                          Director/Trustee, the National Affiliated Investment Companies
                                                          (1983-1993). Formerly a Major General of the British Army.

*Francis E. Jeffries (67)        Trustee                  Director/Trustee, Phoenix Funds (1995-present). Trustee,
6585 Nicholas Blvd.                                       Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Inc. and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional
Apt. 1601                                                 Mutual Funds (1996-present). Director, Duff & Phelps Utilities Income
Naples, FL 33963                                          Inc. (1987-present), Duff & Phelps Utilities Tax-Free Income Inc.
                                                          (1991-present) and Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc.
                                                          (1993-present). Director, The Empire District Electric Company
                                                          (1984-present). Director (1989-1997), Chairman of the Board (1993-1997),
                                                          President (1989-1993) and Chief Executive Officer (1989-1995), Phoenix
                                                          Duff & Phelps Corporation.

Leroy Keith, Jr. (59)            Trustee                  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Carson Products Company
Chairman and Chief                                        (1995-present). Director/Trustee, Phoenix Funds (1980-present). Trustee,
Executive Officer                                         Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional
Carson Product Company                                    Mutual Funds (1996-present). Director, Equifax Corp. (1991-present) and
64 Ross Road                                              Keystone International Fund, Inc. (1989-present). Trustee, Keystone
Savannah, GA 30750                                        Liquid Trust, Keystone Tax Exempt Trust, Keystone Tax Free Fund, Master
                                                          Reserves Tax Free Trust, and Master Reserves Trust. President, Morehouse
                                                          College (1987-1994). Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Keith
                                                          Ventures (1992-1994). Director/Trustee, the National Affiliated
                                                          Investment Companies (until 1993).
</TABLE>

                                       14
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                      <C>    
                                 POSITION(S)              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS                 WITH THE FUND            DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------                 -------------            ----------------------
   
*Philip R. McLoughlin (51)       Trustee and President    Chairman (1997-present), Director (1995-present), Vice Chairman (1995-
                                                          1997) and Chief Executive Officer (1995-present), Phoenix Duff & Phelps 
                                                          Corporation. Director (1994-present) and Executive Vice President, 
                                                          Investments (1988-present), Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company.
                                                          Director/Trustee and President, Phoenix Funds (1989-present). Trustee and
                                                          President, Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and Phoenix Duff & Phelps
                                                          Institutional Mutual Funds (1996-present). Director, Duff & Phelps
                                                          Utilities Tax-Free Income Inc. (1995-present) and Duff & Phelps Utility
                                                          and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. (1995-present). Director (1983-present) and
                                                          Chairman (1995-present), Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Director
                                                          (1984-present) and President (1990-present), Phoenix Equity Planning
                                                          Corporation. Director (1993-present), Chairman (1993-present) and Chief
                                                          Executive Officer (1993-1995), National Securities & Research Corporation.
                                                          Director, Phoenix Realty Group, Inc. (1994-present), Phoenix Realty
                                                          Advisors, Inc. (1987-present), Phoenix Realty Investors, Inc.
                                                          (1994-present), Phoenix Realty Securities, Inc. (1994-present), PXRE
                                                          Corporation (Delaware) (1985-present), and World Trust Fund
                                                          (1991-present). Director and Executive Vice President, Phoenix Life and
                                                          Annuity Company (1996-present). Director and Executive Vice President, PHL
                                                          Variable Insurance Company (1995-present). Director, Phoenix Charter Oak
                                                          Trust Company (1996-present). Director and Vice President, PM Holdings,
                                                          Inc. (1985-present). Director and President, Phoenix Securities Group,
                                                          Inc. (1993-1995). Director (1992-present) and President (1992-1994), W.S.
                                                          Griffith & Co., Inc. Director (1992-present) and President (1992-1994),
                                                          Townsend Financial Advisers, Inc. Director/Trustee, the National
                                                          Affiliated Investment Companies (until 1993).

**Everett L. Morris (69)           Trustee                Vice President, W.H. Reaves and Company (1993-present).
  164 Laird Road                                          Director/Trustee, Phoenix Funds (1995-present). Trustee, Duff & Phelps
  Colts Neck, NJ 07722                                    Mutual Funds (1994-present). Trustee, Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and
                                                          Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds (1996-present).
                                                          Director, Duff & Phelps Utilities Tax-Free Income Inc. (1991-present)
                                                          and Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. (1993-present).
                                                          Director, Public Service Enterprise Group, Incorporated (1986-1993).
                                                          President and Chief Operating Officer, Enterprise Diversified Holdings,
                                                          Incorporated (1989-1993).

*James M. Oates (51)             Trustee                  Chairman, IBEX Capital Markets LLC (1997-present). Managing Director,
 Managing Director                                        Wydown Group (1994-present). Director, Phoenix Duff & Phelps Corporation
 The Wydown Group                                         (1995-present). Director/Trustee, Phoenix Funds (1987-present). Trustee,
 IBEX Capital Markets LLC                                 Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional
 60 State Street                                          Mutual Funds (1996-present). Director, AIB Govett Funds (1991-present),
 Suite 950                                                Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire (1994-present), Investors
 Boston, MA 02109                                         Financial Service Corporation (1995-present), Investors Bank & Trust
                                                          Corporation (1995-present), Plymouth Rubber Co. (1995-present), Stifel
                                                          Financial (1996-present) and Command Systems, Inc. (1998-present). Vice
                                                          Chairman, Massachusetts Housing Partnership (1992-present). Member, Chief
                                                          Executives Organization (1996-present). Director (1984-1994), President
                                                          (1984-1994) and Chief Executive Officer (1986-1994), Neworld Bank.
                                                          Director/Trustee, the National Affiliated Investment Companies (until
                                                          1993).

</TABLE>
    
                                       15
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                      <C>    
                                 POSITION(S)              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS                 WITH THE FUND            DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------                 -------------            ----------------------

*Calvin J. Pedersen (56)         Trustee                  Director (1986-present), President (1993-present) and Executive Vice
Phoenix Duff & Phelps                                     President (1992-1993), Phoenix Duff & Phelps Corporation.
Corporation                                               Director/Trustee, Phoenix Funds (1995-present). Trustee,
55 East Monroe Street                                     Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional
Suite 3600                                                Mutual Funds (1996-present). President and Chief Executive Officer, Duff
Chicago, IL 60603                                         & Phelps Utilities Tax-Free Income Inc. (1995-present), Duff & Phelps
                                                          Utilities Income Inc. (1994-present) and Duff & Phelps Utility and
                                                          Corporate Bond Trust Inc. (1995-present).

   
**Herbert Roth, Jr. (69)         Trustee                  Director/Trustee, Phoenix Funds (1980-present). Trustee,
134 Lake Street                                           Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional
P. O. Box 909                                             Mutual Funds (1996-present). Director, Boston Edison Company
Sherborn, MA 01770                                        (1978-present), Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company
                                                          (1972-present), Landauer, Inc. (medical services) (1970-present), Tech
                                                          Ops./Sevcon, Inc. (electronic controllers) (1987-present), and Mark IV
                                                          Industries (diversified manufacturer) (1985-present). Director, Key
                                                          Energy Group (oil rig service) (1988-1994). Director/Trustee, the
                                                          National Affiliated Investment Companies (until 1993).

Richard E. Segerson (52)         Trustee                  Managing Director, Mullin Associates (1993-present). Director/Trustee,
102 Valley Road                                           Phoenix Funds, (1993-present). Trustee, Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and
New Canaan, CT 06840                                      Phoenix Duff & Phelps  Institutional Mutual Funds (1996-present). Vice
                                                          President and General Manager, Coats & Clark, Inc. (previously Tootal
                                                          American, Inc.) (1991-1993). Director/Trustee, the National Affiliated
                                                          Investment Companies (1984-1993).

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. (66)      Trustee                  Trustee/Director, Phoenix Funds (1995-present). Trustee, Phoenix-Aberdeen
731 Lake Avenue                                           Series Fund and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds
Greenwich, CT 06830                                       (1996-present). Director, UST Inc. (1995-present), HPSC Inc. (1995-
                                                          present), Compuware (1996-present) and Burroughs Wellcome Fund
                                                          (1996-present). Visiting Professor, University of Virginia (1997-present).
                                                          Director, Duty Free International (1997). Chairman, Dresing, Lierman,
                                                          Weicker (1995-1996). Governor of the State of Connecticut (1991-1995).

    
Michael E. Haylon (40)           Executive                Director and Executive Vice President--Investments,  Phoenix Duff & Phelps
                                 Vice President           Corporation (1995-present). Executive Vice President, Phoenix Funds
                                                          (1993-present) and Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund (1996-present).
                                                          Executive Vice President (1997-present), Vice President (1996-1997),
                                                          Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds. Director
                                                          (1994-present), President (1995-present, Executive Vice President
                                                          (1994-1995), Vice President (1991-1994), Phoenix Investment Counsel,
                                                          Inc. Director (1994-present), President (1996-present), Executive Vice
                                                          President (1994-1996), Vice President (1993-1994), National Securities &
                                                          Research Corporation. Director, Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation
                                                          (1995-present). Senior Vice President, Securities Investment, Phoenix
                                                          Home Life Mutual Insurance Company (1993-1995). Various other positions
                                                          with Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company (1990-1993).

- ---------------
</TABLE>
   
*    Trustees identified with an asterisk are considered to be "interested
     persons" of the Fund within the meaning of the definition set forth in
     Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

**   Pursuant to the retirement Policy of the Phoenix Funds, Messrs. Morris and
     Roth will retire from the Board of Trustees effective January 1, 1999.
    

                                       16
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                      <C>    
                                 POSITION(S)              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS                 WITH THE FUND            DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------                 -------------            ----------------------
   
Roger Engemann (56)              Senior Vice President    President, Roger Engemann & Associates (1992-present). President and a
600 North Rosemead Boulevard                              Director, Pasadena Capital Corporation. Senior Vice President, The
Pasadena, CA 91107                                        Phoenix Edge Series Fund (1998-present).

Ronald K. Jacks (30)             Senior Vice President    Portfolio Manager, Seneca Capital Management, LLC (1996-present).
909 Montgomery Street                                     Portfolio Manager, GMG/Seneca Capital Management, LLC (1990-present).
San Francisco, CA 94133                                   Senior Vice President, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (1998-present).
                                                          Trustee, Seneca Funds (1996-1997).
    
William J. Newman (58)           Senior Vice President    Executive Vice President (1995-present) and Chief Investment Strategist
                                                          (1996-Present). Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Executive Vice
                                                          President and Chief Investment Strategist (1996-present), Senior Vice
                                                          President (1995-1996) National Securities & Research Corporation. Senior
                                                          Vice President, Phoenix Strategic Equity Series Fund (1996-present), The
                                                          Phoenix Edge Series Fund (1995-present), Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund
                                                          (1995-present). Phoenix Income and Growth Fund (1996-present), Phoenix
                                                          Series Fund (1996-present), Phoenix Strategic Allocation Fund, Inc.
                                                          (1996-present), Phoenix Worldwide Opportunities Fund (1996-present),
                                                          Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds (1996-present) and
                                                          Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund (1996-present). Senior Vice President,
                                                          Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation (1995-1996). Vice President, Common
                                                          Stock and Chief Investment Strategist, Phoenix Home Life Mutual
                                                          Insurance Company (April 1995-November 1995). Chief Investment
                                                          Strategist, Kidder, Peabody Co., Inc. (1993-1994). Managing Director,
                                                          Equities, Bankers Trust Company (1991-1993).


   
Gail P. Seneca (42)              Senior Vice President    President, Chief Executive and Chief Investment Officer, Seneca Capital
                                                          Management, LLC (1996-present). Chief Executive and Investment Officer,
                                                          and a  managing general partner, GMG/Seneca Capital Management, LLC
                                                          (1989-present). President and a Trustee, Seneca Funds (1996-present).
                                                          Senior Vice President, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (1998-present).

John S. Tilson (53)              Senior Vice President    Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Securities Analyst,
                                                          Roger Engemann & Associates (1983-present). An officer and a Director
                                                          of Pasadena Capital Corporation. Senior Vice President, The Phoenix Edge
                                                          Series Fund (1998-present).

James D. Wehr (40)               Senior Vice President    Managing Director, Fixed Income (1996-present), Vice President
                                                          (1991-1996), Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Managing Director, Fixed
                                                          Income (1996-present), Vice President (1993-1996), National Securities &
                                                          Research Corporation. Senior Vice President, Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund,
                                                          Phoenix Series Fund, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund, Phoenix California Tax
                                                          Exempt Bonds, Inc., Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds,
                                                          Phoenix Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund, Inc., Phoenix Multi-Sector Short
                                                          Term Bond Fund, Phoenix Income and Growth Fund and Phoenix Strategic
                                                          Allocation Fund (1997-present). Senior Vice President and Chief Investment
                                                          Officer, Duff & Phelps Utilities Tax-Free Income Inc. (1997-present). Vice
                                                          President, Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund (1988-1997), Phoenix Series Fund
                                                          (1990-1997), The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (1991-1997), Phoenix California
                                                          Tax Exempt Bonds, Inc. (1993-1997) and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional
                                                          Mutual Funds (1996-1997). Managing Director, Public Fixed Income, Phoenix
                                                          Home Life Insurance Company (1991-1995). Various positions with Phoenix
                                                          Home Life Mutual Insurance Company (1981-1991).
    
</TABLE>


                                       17
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                      <C>    
                                 POSITION(S)              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS                 WITH THE FUND            DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------                 -------------            ----------------------
Hugh Young (39)                  Senior                   Senior Vice President, Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and The Phoenix Edge
Aberdeen Asset Managers LTD      Vice President           Series Fund (1996-present).  Director, Phoenix-Aberdeen International
88A Circular Road                                         Advisors, LLC. Far East Investment Director, Aberdeen Asset Management
Singapore 049439                                          Asia Limited (1988-present). Managing Director, Aberdeen Asset
                                                          Management Asia Limited (1992-present). Director, Abtrust Asian Smaller
                                                          Companies Investment Trust plc (1995-present), Abtrust New Dawn
                                                          Investment Trust plc (1989-present), Abtrust Emerging Asia Investment
                                                          Trust Limited (1990-present), JF Philippine Fund Inc. and Apollo Tiger.

   
David L. Albrycht (36)           Vice President           Managing Director, Fixed Income (1996-present) and Vice President
                                                          (1995-1996), Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Managing Director, Fixed
                                                          Income (1996-present) and Investment Officer (1994-1996), National
                                                          Securities & Securities Research Corporation. Vice President, Phoenix
                                                          Multi-Portfolio Fund (1993-present), Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond
                                                          Fund (1993-present), Phoenix Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund, Inc.
                                                          (1994-present). The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (1997-present) and Phoenix
                                                          Series Fund (1997-present). Portfolio Manager, Phoenix Home Life Mutual
                                                          Insurance Company (1995-1996).
    

Curtiss O. Barrows (46)          Vice President           Managing Director, Fixed Income (1996-present), Vice President
                                                          (1991-1996), Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Vice President, The
                                                          Phoenix Edge Series Fund (1986-present), Phoenix Series Fund
                                                          (1985-present), Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund (1995-present). Managing
                                                          Director, Fixed Income (1996-present), Vice President (1993-1996),
                                                          National Securities & Research Corporation. Portfolio Manager, Public
                                                          Bonds, Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company (1991-1995). Various
                                                          other positions with Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company
                                                          (1985-1991).

   
Christian C. Bertelsen (55)      Vice President           Managing Director/Senior Portfolio Manager, Phoenix Investment Counsel,
                                                          Inc. (1997-present). Vice President, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund
                                                          (1998-present), Phoenix Investment Trust 97 (1997-present). Senior Vice
                                                          President and Chief Investment Officer, Zurich Kemper (1996-1997). Vice
                                                          President and Portfolio Manager, Zurich Kemper Small Cap Fund and Zurich
                                                          Kemper Contrarian Fund (1996-1997). Senior Vice President, Eagle Asset
                                                          Management (1993-1996). Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Heritage
                                                          Value Fund and Golden Select Variable Annuity Value Trust (1995-1996).
                                                          Senior Vice President, Colonial Equity Management, Inc. (1986-1993). Vice
                                                          President and Portfolio Manager, The Colonial Fund (1986-1993). Assistant
                                                          Vice President and Coportfolio Manager, Colonial Small Stock Fund
                                                          (1990-1993) and Colonial Utilities Fund (1991-1993). Assistant Vice
                                                          President, Colonial Growth Shares (1991-1993).
    

Mary E. Canning (41)             Vice President           Managing Director and Investment Strategist (1996-present), Vice
                                                          President (1991-1996), Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Managing
                                                          Director and Investment Strategist, National Securities & Research
                                                          Corporation (1996-present). Vice President, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund
                                                          (1987-present) and Phoenix Strategic Allocation Fund, Inc.
                                                          (1996-present). Vice President, Phoenix Series Fund (1987-1997).
                                                          Associate Portfolio Manager, Common Stock, Phoenix Home Life Mutual
                                                          Insurance Company (1989-1995). Various other positions with Phoenix Home
                                                          Life Mutual Insurance Company (1982-1989).

</TABLE>

                                       18
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                      <C>    
                                 POSITION(S)              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS                 WITH THE FUND            DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------                 -------------            ----------------------
   
Steven L. Colton (38)            Vice President           Managing Director/Senior Portfolio Manager, Phoenix Investment Counsel,
                                                          Inc. (1997-present). Vice President, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund, Phoenix
                                                          Series Fund, Phoenix Equity Series Fund (1997-present). Vice
                                                          President/Senior Portfolio Manager, American Century Investment Management
                                                          (1987-1997). Portfolio Manager, American Century/Benham Income and Growth
                                                          Fund (1990-1997), American Century/Benham Equity Growth Fund (1991-1996)
                                                          and American Century/Benham Utilities Income Fund (1993-1997).
    

Timothy Devlin (34)              Vice President           Vice President and Portfolio Manager, J.P. Morgan Investment Company and
                                                          Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of NY (1996-present).  Vice President, The
                                                          Phoenix Edge Series Fund (1997-present). First Vice President and
                                                          Portfolio Manager, Mitchell Hutchins Asset Management, Inc. (1987-1996).

Jeanne H. Dorey (36)             Vice President           Managing Director, Equities (1996-present), Vice President (1993-1996),
                                                          Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Managing Director, Equities,
                                                          (1996-present), Vice President (1993-1996), National Securities &
                                                          Research Corporation. Vice President, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund,
                                                          Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund and Phoenix Worldwide Opportunities Fund
                                                          (1993-present). Portfolio Manager, International (1992-present) and
                                                          Portfolio Manager, Common Stock (1993-1996), Phoenix Home Life Mutual
                                                          Insurance Company.

   
John D. Kattar (42)              Vice President           Managing Director/Senior Portfolio Manager, Phoenix Investment Counsel,
                                                          Inc. (1997-present). Vice President, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund, Phoenix
                                                          Series Fund and Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund (1997-present). Director
                                                          (1989-1997), Senior Vice President (1993-1996), Baring Asset Management
                                                          Company, Inc. Director, Baring Mutual Fund Management (Luxembourg)
                                                          (1995-1997).
    

William E. Keen III (34)         Vice President           Assistant Vice President (1996-present), Director of Mutual Fund
100 Bright Meadow Blvd.                                   Compliance (1995-1996), Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation. Vice
P.O. Box 2200                                             President, Phoenix Funds, Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund and Phoenix Duff
Enfield, CT 06083-2200                                    & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds (1996-present). Assistant Vice
                                                          President, US Affinity Investments L.P. (1994-1995). Treasurer and
                                                          Secretary, US Affinity Funds (1994-1995). Manager, Fund Administration,
                                                          SEI Corporation (1991-1994).

David Lui (38)                   Vice President           Portfolio Manager, Equities, Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. and
                                                          National Securities & Research Corporation (1996-present). Vice
                                                          President, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund, Phoenix Worldwide Opportunities
                                                          Fund and Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund (1996-present). Associate
                                                          Portfolio Manager, International Portfolios, Phoenix Home Life Mutual
                                                          Insurance Company (1995-1996). Vice President, Asian Equities, Alliance
                                                          Capital Management (1993-1995).
</TABLE>

                                       19
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                      <C>    
                                 POSITION(S)              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS                 WITH THE FUND            DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------                 -------------            ----------------------
William R. Moyer (53)            Vice President           Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Phoenix Duff & Phelps
100 Bright Meadow Blvd.                                   Corporation (1995-present). Senior Vice President, Finance
P.O. Box 2200                                             (1990-present), Chief Financial Officer (1996-present), and Treasurer
Enfield, CT 06083-2200                                    (1994-1996), Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation. Senior Vice President
                                                          (1990-present), Chief Financial Officer (1996-present) and Treasurer
                                                          (1994-present), Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Senior Vice President,
                                                          Finance (1993-present), Chief Financial Officer (1996-present), and
                                                          Treasurer (1994-present), National Securities & Research Corporation.
                                                          Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Duff & Phelps
                                                          Investment Management Co. (1996-present). Vice President, Phoenix Funds
                                                          (1990-present), Phoenix-Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds
                                                          (1996-present), Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund (1996-present). Senior Vice
                                                          President and Chief Financial Officer, W. S. Griffith & Co., Inc.
                                                          (1992-1995) and Townsend Financial Advisers, Inc. (1993-1995). Vice
                                                          President, Investment Products Finance, Phoenix Home Life Mutual
                                                          Insurance Company (1990-1995). Vice President, the National Affiliated
                                                          Investment Companies (until 1993).

       
Leonard J. Saltiel (44)          Vice President           Managing Director, Operations and Service (1996-present), Senior Vice
                                                          President (1994-1996), Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation. Vice
                                                          President, Phoenix Funds (1994-present), Phoenix Duff & Phelps
                                                          Institutional Mutual Funds (1996-present) and Phoenix-Aberdeen Series
                                                          Fund (1996-present). Vice President, National Securities & Research
                                                          Corporation (1994-present). Vice President, Investment Operations,
                                                          Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company (1994-1995). Various
                                                          positions with Home Life Insurance Company and Phoenix Home Life Mutual
                                                          Insurance Company (1987-1994).

Julie L. Sapia (40)              Vice President           Head Money Market Trader (1997-present), Money Market Trader
                                                          (1995-1997), Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Vice President, The
                                                          Phoenix Edge Series Fund, Phoenix Series Fund, Phoenix Duff & Phelps
                                                          Institutional Mutual Funds and Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund
                                                          (1997-present). Money Market Trader, Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance
                                                          Company (1991-1995). Various positions with Phoenix Home Life Mutual
                                                          Insurance Company (1985-1991).

   
Michael Schatt (50)              Vice President           Managing  Director, Phoenix Duff & Phelps Corporation (1994-present).
55 East Monroe Street                                     Senior Vice President, Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.
Suite 3600                                                (1997-present). Vice President, Phoenix Realty Securities, Inc.
Chicago, IL 60603                                         (1997-present). Vice President, Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional
                                                          Mutual Funds, Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund and The Phoenix Edge Series
                                                          Fund (1997-present). Director, Real Estate Advisory Practice, Coopers &
                                                          Lybrand, LLC (1990-1994).
    

Dorothy J. Skaret (45)           Vice President           Director, Money Market Trading (1996-present), Vice President
                                                          (1991-1996), Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Director, Money Market
                                                          Trading (1996-present), Vice President (1993-1996), National Securities
                                                          & Research Corporation. Vice President, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund
                                                          (1991-present), Phoenix Series Fund (1990-present), Phoenix Realty
                                                          Securities, Inc. (1995-present), Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund
                                                          (1996-present) and Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds
                                                          (1996-present). Director, Public Fixed Income, Phoenix Home Life Mutual
                                                          Insurance Company (1991-1995). Various other positions with Phoenix Home
                                                          Life Mutual Insurance Company (1986-1991).
</TABLE>

                                       20
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                      <C>    
                                 POSITION(S)              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS                 WITH THE FUND            DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------                 -------------            ----------------------

   
Pierre G. Trinque (42)           Vice President           Managing Director, Equities (March, 1997-present), Managing Director,
                                                          Director of Equity Research (1996-1997), Senior Research Analyst, Equities
                                                          (1996) and Associate Portfolio Manager, Institutional Funds (1992-1995),
                                                          Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Vice President, The Phoenix Edge Series
                                                          Fund and Phoenix Series Fund President (1997-present).
    

James C. Wiess (37)              Vice President           Vice President and Portfolio Manager, J.P. Morgan Investment Management
                                                          Company and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of NY (1992-present). Vice
                                                          President, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (8/97-present).

Nancy G. Curtiss (45)            Treasurer                Treasurer (1996-present), Vice President, Fund Accounting (1994-1996),
                                                          Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation. Treasurer, Phoenix Funds
                                                          (1994-present), Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund (1996-present) and Phoenix
                                                          Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds (1996-present). Second Vice
                                                          President and Treasurer, Fund Accounting, Phoenix Home Life Mutual
                                                          Insurance Company (1994-1995). Various positions with Phoenix Home Life
                                                          Mutual Insurance Company (1987-1994).

   
G. Jeffrey Bohne (50)            Secretary                Vice President and General Manager, Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Co.
101 Munson Street                                         (1993-present). Vice President, Mutual Fund Customer Service
Greenfield, MA 01301                                      (1996-present), Vice President, Transfer Agency Operations (1993-1996),
                                                          Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation. Secretary and/or Clerk, Phoenix Funds
                                                          (1993-present), Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds
                                                          (1996-present) and Phoenix-Aberdeen Series Fund (1996-present). Vice
                                                          President, Home Life of New York Insurance Company (1984-1992).
    
</TABLE>

No person listed in the foregoing table has any immediate family relationship
with any other person listed in the table.

At December 31, 1996, the Trustees and officers as a group owned none of the
then outstanding shares of the Fund.

   
For services rendered to the Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996, the Trustees received an aggregate of $143,625 from the Fund as Trustees'
fees. For service on the Boards of the Phoenix Funds, each Trustee who is not a
full-time employee of the Advisers or any of their affiliates currently receives
a retainer at the annual rate of $40,000 and $2,500 per joint meeting of the
Boards. Each Trustee who serves on the Audit Committee receives a retainer at
the annual rate of $2,000 and $2,000 per joint Audit Committee meeting attended.
The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Conway, Roth, Segerson
and Weicker. Each Trustee who serves on the Executive Committee and who is not
an interested person of the Fund receives a retainer at the annual rate of
$1,000 and $1,000 per joint Executive Committee meeting attended. The current
members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Conway, Dalzell-Payne,
McLoughlin, Morris, Oates and Roth. The function of the Executive Committee is
to serve as a contract review, compliance review and performance review delegate
of the full Board of Trustees. The foregoing fees do not include the
reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with meeting attendance.
Trustee costs are allocated equally to each of the Series of the Funds within
the Fund complex. Officers and employees of the Adviser who are "interested
persons" are compensated by the Adviser and receive no compensation from the
Fund.
    
                                       21
<PAGE>

   
For the Fund's fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, the Trustees received the 
following compensation:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PENSION OR                           TOTAL COMPENSATION
                                 AGGREGATE    RETIREMENT BENEFITS   ESTIMATED ANNUAL      FROM FUND AND 
                               COMPENSATION   ACCRUED AS PART OF     BENEFITS UPON        FUND COMPLEX  
             NAME                FROM FUND       FUND EXPENSES        RETIREMENT        PAID TO TRUSTEES
             ----                ---------       -------------        ----------        ----------------
    <S>                          <C>             <C>                 <C>                     <C>                         
    C. Duanne Blinn               $13,875                                                    $60,500
    Robert Chesek                 $12,125                                                    $53,500
    E. Virgil Conway              $14,125                                                    $61,750
    Harry Dalzell-Payne           $12,125                                                    $53,750
    Francis E. Jeffries                $0          None for          None for                     $0
    Leroy Keith, Jr.              $12,125        any Trustee        any Trustee              $53,500
    Philip R. McLoughlin               $0                                                         $0
    Everett L. Morris             $11,375*                                                   $50,750
    James M. Oates                $13,250                                                    $58,000
    Calvin J. Pedersen                 $0                                                         $0
    Philip R. Reynolds            $12,125                                                    $53,500
    Herbert Roth, Jr.             $14,875*                                                   $64,750
    Richard E. Segerson           $13,750                                                    $60,250
    Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.        $13,875                                                    $60,500
</TABLE>

*  This compensation (and the earnings thereon) is deferred pursuant to the
   Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan. At November 30, 1996, the total amount
   of deferred compensation (including interest and other accumulation earned on
   the original amounts deferred) accrued for Messrs. Blinn, Morris and Roth was
   $313,234.37, $48,298.13 and $127,040.84, respectively. At present, by
   agreement among the Fund, the Distributor and the electing director, director
   fees that are deferred are paid by the Fund to the Distributor. The liability
   for the deferred compensation obligation appears only as a liability of the
   Distributor.
    

THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The Fund has entered into Investment Advisory Agreements ("Agreements")
with Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. ("PIC"), Phoenix Realty Securities ("PRS")
and Phoenix-Aberdeen International Advisors, LLC ("PAIA") whose offices are
located in Hartford, Connecticut.

   
     Phoenix is in the business of writing ordinary and group life and health
insurance and annuities. At December 31, 1996, Phoenix had approximately $15.5
billion total assets. PHL Variable writes variable annuities, and at December
31, 1996 had total assets of approximately $189.5 million. PLAC writes variable
universal life insurance policies and at December 31, 1996 had total assets of
approximately $11.5 million. PEPCO performs bookkeeping and pricing and
administrative services for the Fund. It also provides bookkeeping and pricing
services to other investment companies advised by PIC and its affiliates. PEPCO
is registered as a broker-dealer in 50 states. The executive offices of Phoenix
and PAIA are located at One American Row, Hartford, Connecticut 06102 and the
principal offices of Equity Planning are located at 100 Bright Meadow Boulevard,
P.O. Box 2200, Enfield, Connecticut 06083-2200.
    

    All of the outstanding stock of PIC is owned by PEPCO, a subsidiary of
Phoenix Duff & Phelps Corporation ("PD&P") of Chicago, Illinois. Phoenix owns a
majority interest in PD&P. PIC also serves as subadviser to the Asia Series.

    J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. ("J.P. Morgan"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated, serves as subadviser to the
Enhanced Index Series. J.P. Morgan's principal place of business is located at
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036. J.P. Morgan presently serves as an
investment manager for corporate, public and union employee benefit funds,
foundations, endowments, insurance companies, government agencies and the
accounts of other institutional investors. J.P. Morgan was founded in 1984 and
as of March 31, 1997 had approximately $184 billion in assets under management.

    Roger Engemann & Associates ("Engemann") serves as subadviser to the Nifty
Fifty Series. Engemann is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pasadena Capital
Corporation, which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of PD&P. Engemann has
been engaged in the investment management business since 1969, and provides
investment counseling services to retirement plans, colleges, corporations,
trusts and individuals. Engemann also serves as investment adviser to the
Phoenix-Engemann Funds. As of December 31, 1996, Engemann had approximately $5.1
billion in assets under management.

    Seneca Capital Management, LLC serves as subadviser to the Seneca Mid-Cap
Series. PD&P owns a majority interest in Seneca; the balance is owned by certain
of its employees, including Gail Seneca, one of the portfolio management team
leaders, and the former limited partners of GMG/Seneca Capital Management, LLC.
Seneca (including 

                                       22
<PAGE>

its predecessor, GMG/Seneca Capital Management LP) has been an investment
adviser since 1989, managing equity and fixed-income securities portfolios
primarily for institutions and individuals. As of December 31, 1996, Seneca had
approximately $3.9 billion in assets under management.

    Schafer Capital Management, Inc. ("Schafer"), serves as subadviser to the
Schafer Mid-Cap Series. Schafer's principal place of business is located at 101
Carnegie Center, Suite 107, Princeton, New Jersey. Schafer has been engaged in
the investment management business since 1981, specializing in long-term
investing in the equity markets. As of December 8, 1997, Schafer had
approximately $1.7 billion in assets under management.

   
    The offices of Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. ("DPIM") are located
at 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3600, Chicago, Illinois 60603. DPIM also serves
as investment adviser to the Core Equity Fund of Phoenix Equity Series Fund, the
Enhanced Reserves, Core Equity and Real Estate Equity Securities Portfolio of
Phoenix Duff & Phelps Institutional Mutual Funds, the Real Estate Securities
Portfolio of Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund and three closed-end funds: Duff &
Phelps Utilities Income Inc., Duff & Phelps Utilities Tax-Free Income Inc. and
Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. The investment adviser at
its inception was Phoenix Realty Securities, Inc. ("PRS" or "Adviser") PRS is a
wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Phoenix Home Life. PRS delegates certain
investment decisions and research functions to DPIM, a subsidiary of PD&P and an
indirect majority owned subsidiary of Phoenix, for which DPIM is paid a fee by
PRS. On March 2, 1998, DPIM purchased the management rights for the Series from
PRS and PRS's contract was assigned to DPIM. As of September 30, 1997, DPIM had
approximately $12.9 billion in assets under management.
    

    PAIA, a Delaware limited liability company formed in 1996 and jointly owned
and managed by PM Holdings, Inc, is a direct subsidiary of Phoenix and Aberdeen
Fund Managers, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aberdeen Asset Management plc.
Aberdeen Fund Managers, Inc. has its principal offices located at 1 Financial
Plaza, Suite 2210, NationsBank Tower, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33394. While many
of the officers and directors of the PAIA have extensive experience as
investment professionals, due to its recent formation, the PAIA has no prior
operating history. Aberdeen Fund Managers, Inc. also serves as subadviser for
the Asia Series.

    Aberdeen Asset Management was founded in 1983 and through subsidiaries
operating from offices in Aberdeen, Scotland; London, England; Singapore and
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, provides investment management services to unit and
investment trusts, segregated pension funds and other institutional and private
portfolios. As of February 28, 1997, Aberdeen Asset Management, and its advisory
subsidiaries, had approximately $4.8 billion in assets under management.

   
     Philip R. McLoughlin, President and Trustee of the Trust, is a director and
officer of PIC. Michael E. Haylon, an officer of the Trust, is a director and
officer of PIC and also an officer of DPIM. William R. Moyer, an officer of the
Trust, is an officer of PIC and also an officer of DPIM. David L. Albrycht,
Curtiss O. Barrows, Christian C. Bertelson, Mary E. Canning, Steven L. Colton,
Jeanne H. Dorey, John D. Kattar, William E. Keen, III, David Lui, William R.
Moyer, William J. Newman, Dorothy Skaret, Pierre G. Trinque and James D. Wehr,
officers of the Trust, are officers of PIC. Michael Schatt, an officer of the
Trust, is an officer of DPIM. Hugh Young, an officer of the Trust, is a director
and officer of PAIA.

     The Agreements provide that each Adviser shall furnish continuously, at its
own expense, an investment program for each of the Series, subject at all times
to the supervision of the Trustees. They also provide that all costs and
expenses not specifically enumerated as payable by the Advisers shall be paid by
the Fund or by Phoenix, PHL Variable and PLAC. The Advisers or Phoenix, PHL
Variable and PLAC have agreed to reimburse the Fund for certain operating
expenses for all Series. Each Series (except the International, Real Estate,
Theme, Asia, Enhanced Index and Seneca Mid-Cap Series) pays a portion or all of
its total operating expenses other than the management fee, up to .15% of its
total average net assets. The International, Real Estate, Theme, Asia, Enhanced
Index and Seneca Mid-Cap Series pay total operating expenses other than the
management fee up to .40%, .25%, .25%, .25%, .10%, and .25%, respectively, of
its total average net assets. Expenses above these limits are paid by the
Advisers, Phoenix, PHL Variable or PLAC.
    

    To the extent that any expenses are paid by the Fund, they will be paid by
the Series incurring them or, in the case of general expenses, may be charged
among the Series in relation to the benefits received by the shareholders, as
determined by the financial agent under the supervision of the Board of
Trustees. Such expenses shall include, but shall not be limited to, all expenses
(other than those specifically referred to as being borne by the Advisers,
Phoenix, PHL Variable or PLAC) incurred in the operation of the Fund and any
offering of its shares, including, among others, interest, taxes, brokerage fees
and commissions, fees of Trustees, expenses of Trustees' and shareholders'
meetings including the cost of printing and mailing proxies, expenses of
insurance premiums for fidelity and other coverage, expenses of repurchase and
redemption of shares, certain expenses of issue and sale of shares, association
membership dues, charges of custodians, transfer agents, dividend disbursing
agents and financial agents, bookkeeping, auditing and legal expenses. The Fund,
Phoenix, PHL Variable or PLAC also will pay the fees and bear the expense of
registering and maintaining the registration of the Fund and its shares with the
SEC and the expense of preparing and mailing prospectuses and reports to
shareholders.

    The Investment Advisory Agreements provide that the Advisers shall not be
liable to the Fund or to any shareholder of the Fund for any error of judgement
or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund or by any shareholder of
the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Investment Advisory
Agreements relate, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard on the part of the Advisers in the
performance of its duties thereunder.

   
    The Investment Advisory Agreements also provide that, as full compensation
for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund, the Advisers shall be
compensated as follows: 
    

                                       23
<PAGE>
   
                        PHOENIX INVESTMENT COUNSEL, INC.
                        --------------------------------

                                                     RATE FOR
                 RATE FOR FIRST   RATE FOR NEXT     EXCESS OVER
SERIES            $250,000,000    $250,000,000     $500,000,000
- ------           ------------    ------------     ------------

Money Market...       .40%            .35%            .30%
Multi-Sector...       .50%            .45%            .40%
Balanced.......       .55%            .50%            .45%
Allocation.....       .60%            .55%            .50%
Growth.........       .70%            .65%            .60%
International..       .75%            .70%            .65%
Theme..........       .75%            .70%            .65%
Nifty Fifty....       .90%            .80%            .70%
Growth & Income       .70%            .65%            .60%
Value..........       .70%            .65%            .60%


                        PHOENIX INVESTMENT COUNSEL, INC.
                        --------------------------------
SERIES
- ------
Enhanced Index...        .45%
Seneca Mid-Cap...        .80%
Schafer Mid-Cap..       1.05%


                     DUFF & PHELPS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CO.
                     ---------------------------------------
    
                                                     RATE FOR
                 RATE FOR FIRST   RATE FOR NEXT    EXCESS OVER
SERIES           $1,000,000,000  $1,000,000,000   $2,000,000,000
- ------           --------------  --------------   --------------
Real Estate.....      .75%            .70%             .65%


                  PHOENIX-ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL ADVISORS, LLC
                  --------------------------------------------

SERIES
- ------
Asia............      1.00%

    The amounts payable to the Advisers shall be based upon the average of the
values of the net assets of the Fund as of the close of business each day. There
can be no assurance that the Fund will reach a net asset level high enough to
realize a reduction in the rate of the advisory fee.

    The Investment Advisory Agreements continue in force from year to year for
all Series, provided that, with respect to each Series, the applicable agreement
must be approved at least annually by the Trustees or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of that Series. In addition, and in either
event, the terms of the agreements and any renewal thereof must be approved by
the vote of a majority of Trustees who are not parties to the agreement or
interested persons (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval. The agreements will terminate automatically if assigned
and may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, either by the
Fund or by the Advisers, on sixty (60) days written notice.


BROKERAGE ALLOCATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    In effecting portfolio transactions for the Fund, the Advisers and
Subadvisers, adhere to the Fund's policy of seeking best execution and price,
determined as described below, except to the extent it is permitted to pay
higher brokerage commissions for "brokerage and research services" as defined
herein. The Advisers may cause the Fund to pay a broker an amount of commission
for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission
which another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction,
if the Advisers determine in good faith that such amount of commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by such broker. As provided in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, "brokerage and research services" include giving advice as to the
value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling
securities, and the availability of securities; furnishing analyses and reports
concerning issuers, industries, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy
and the performance of accounts; and effecting securities transactions and
performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement).
Brokerage and research services provided by brokers to the Fund or to the
Advisers are considered to be in addition to and not in lieu of services
required to be performed by the Advisers under their contracts with the Fund
under their contracts with the Advisers and may benefit both the Fund and other
clients of the Advisers. Conversely, brokerage and research services provided by
brokers to other clients of the Advisers may benefit the Fund.

    If the securities in which a particular Series of the Fund invests are
traded primarily in the over-the-counter market, where possible the Series will
deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved
unless better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such dealers usually
act as principals for their own account. On occasion, securities may be
purchased directly from the issuer. Bonds and money market instruments are
generally traded on a net basis and do not normally involve either brokerage
commissions or transfer taxes.

    The determination of what may constitute best execution and price in the
execution of a securities transaction by a broker involves a number of
considerations including, without limitation, the overall direct net economic
result to the Fund (involving both price paid or received and any commissions
and other costs paid), the efficiency with which the transaction is effected,
the ability to effect the transaction at all where a large block is involved,
the availability of the broker to stand ready to execute possibly difficult
transactions in the future and the financial strength and stability of the
broker. Such considerations are judgmental and are weighed by the Advisers in
determining the overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid by the
Fund.

    For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 brokerage
commissions paid by the Fund on portfolio transactions totaled $4,360,577,
$5,452,277 and $6,749,696, respectively. None of such commissions was paid to a
broker who was an affiliated person of the Fund or an affiliated person of such
a person or, to the knowledge of the Fund, to a broker an affiliated person of
which was an affiliated person of the Fund or the Adviser. Total brokerage
commissions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 included
brokerage commissions of $5,789,323 on portfolio transactions aggregating
$4,201,850,149 executed by brokers who provided research and other statistical
and factual information.

    It may frequently happen that the same security is held in the portfolio of
more than one fund. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds
are managed by the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security
is suited for the investment objectives of more than one fund. When two or more

                                       24
<PAGE>

funds advised by the Advisers are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale
of the same security, the transactions are allocated among the funds in a manner
equitable to each fund. It is recognized that in some cases this system could
have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the
Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of
the Fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions
for the Fund. It is the opinion of the Board of Trustees of the Fund that the
desirability of utilizing the Advisers as investment advisers to the Fund as
manager of foreign securities owned by the Fund outweighs the disadvantages that
may be said to exist from simultaneous transactions.

    The Fund has adopted a policy and procedures governing the execution of
aggregated advisory client orders ("bunching procedures") in an attempt to lower
commission costs on a per-share and per-dollar basis. According to the bunching
procedures, the Adviser shall aggregate transactions unless it believes in its
sole discretion that such aggregation is consistent with its duty to seek best
execution (which shall include the duty to seek best price) for the Fund. No
advisory account of the Adviser is to be favored over any other account and each
account that participates in an aggregated order is expected to participate at
the average share price for all transactions of the Adviser in that security on
a given business day, with all transaction costs shared pro rata based on the
Fund's participation in the transaction. If the aggregated order is filled in
its entirety, it shall be allocated among the Adviser's accounts in accordance
with the allocation order, and if the order is partially filled, it shall be
allocated pro rata based on the allocation order. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the order may be allocated on a basis different from that specified in the
allocation order if all accounts of the Adviser whose orders are allocated
receive fair and equitable treatment and the reason for such different
allocation is explained in writing and is approved in writing by the Adviser's
compliance officer as soon as practicable after the opening of the markets on
the trading day following the day on which the order is executed. If an
aggregated order is partially filled and allocated on a basis different from
that specified in the allocation order, no account that is benefited by such
different allocation may intentionally and knowingly effect any purchase or sale
for a reasonable period following the execution of the aggregated order that
would result in it receiving or selling more shares than the amount of shares it
would have received or sold had the aggregated order been completely filled. The
Trustees will annually review these procedures or as frequently as shall appear
appropriate.


DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The net asset value per share of each Series is determined as of the close
of regular trading of the NYSE on days when the NYSE is open for trading. The
NYSE will be closed on the following observed national holidays: New Year's Day,
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Since the Fund
does not price securities on weekends or United States national holidays, the
net asset value of a Series' foreign assets may be significantly affected on
days when the investor has no access to the Fund. The net asset value per share
of a Series is determined by adding the values of all securities and other
assets of the Series, subtracting liabilities and dividing by the total number
of outstanding shares of the Series. Assets and liabilities are determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules
and regulations of the SEC.
    

    A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at
the quotation on the NYSE determined to be the primary exchange for such
security by the Trustees or their delegates. Because of the need to obtain
prices as of the close of trading on various exchanges throughout the world, the
calculation of net asset value may not take place for any Series which invests
in foreign securities contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of
the majority of the portfolio securities of such Series. All assets and
liabilities initially expressed in foreign currency values will be converted
into United States dollar values at the mean between the bid and ask quotations
of such currencies against United States dollars as last quoted by any
recognized dealer. If an event were to occur after the value of an investment
was so established but before the net asset value per share was determined,
which was likely to materially change the net asset value, then the instrument
would be valued using fair value considerations by the Trustees or their
delegates. If at any time a Series has investments where market quotations are
not readily available, such investments are valued at the fair value thereof as
determined in good faith by the Trustees although the actual calculations may be
made by persons acting pursuant to the direction of the Trustees.


INVESTING IN THE FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Shares of the Fund are not available to the public directly. Although shares
of the Fund are owned by the Accounts, Contract Owners and Policyowners do have
voting rights with respect to those shares, as described in the Prospectus under
"Shares of Beneficial Interest." You may invest in the Fund by buying a Variable
Accumulation Annuity Contract or a Variable Universal Life Insurance Policy from
Phoenix, PHL Variable or PLAC and directing the allocation of the net purchase
payment(s) to the Subaccounts corresponding to the Series of the Fund. Phoenix,
PHL Variable and PLAC will, in turn, invest payments in shares of the Fund as
the investor directs at net asset value next determined with no sales load.

SALES CHARGE AND SURRENDER CHARGES
    The Fund does not assess any sales charge, either when it sells or when it
redeems securities. The sales charges which may be assessed under the Contracts
or Policies are described in the accompanying prospectus, as are other charges.


REDEMPTION OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Fund will redeem any shares presented by the shareholder Accounts for
redemption. The Account's policies on when and whether to buy or redeem Fund
shares are described in the accompanying prospectus.

    At the discretion of the Trustees, the Fund may, to the extent consistent
with state and Federal law, make payment for shares of a particular Series
repurchased or redeemed in whole or in part in securities or other assets of
such Series taken at current values. 

                                       25
<PAGE>

Should payment be made in securities, the shareholder Accounts may incur 
brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash.

    The right of redemption may be suspended or the payment date postponed for
more than seven days only for any period during which trading on the NYSE is
closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or when trading on
the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC, for any period when an
emergency (as defined by rules of the Commission) exists, or during any period
when the Commission has, by order, permitted such suspension. In case of a
suspension of the right of redemption, the shareholders may withdraw requests
for redemption of shares prior to the next determination of net asset value
after the suspension has been terminated or they will receive payment of the net
asset value so determined.

    The shareholder Accounts may receive more or less than was paid for the
shares, depending on the net asset value of the shares at the time they are
repurchased or redeemed.


TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    As stated in the Prospectus, it will be the policy of the Fund and of each
Series to comply with those provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, ("Code") which relieve investment companies that distribute
substantially all of their net income from Federal income tax on the amounts
distributed. The Fund also intends to comply with pertinent Code provisions in
order to avoid imposition of any Federal excise tax. Dividends derived from
interest and distributions of any realized capital gains are taxable, under
Subchapter M, to the Fund's Shareholders, which in this case are the Accounts.

    Federal income taxation of separate accounts, life insurance companies, and
unit investment trusts are discussed in the accompanying prospectus for the
Account.


CUSTODIAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The securities and cash of the Multi-Sector, Money Market, Growth, Strategic
Allocation, Balanced and Strategic Theme Series are held by The Chase Manhattan
Bank, N.A. under the terms of a custodian agreement. The address for The Chase
Manhattan Bank, N.A., is 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, Floor 13B, New York, NY 10081.
The securities and cash of the International and Asia Series are held by Brown
Brothers Harriman & Co. under the terms of a custodian agreement. The address
for Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02109, Attention: Manager, Securities Department. The securities and cash of the
Real Estate, Growth & Income, Value, Engemann Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap,
Schafer Mid-Cap and Enhanced Index Series are held by State Street Bank and
Trust Company, located at 1 Heritage Drive, P2N, North Quincy, Massachusetts
02171. The Fund permits the Custodian to deposit some or all of its securities
in central depository systems as allowed by Federal law. The use of foreign
custodians and foreign central depositories has been authorized by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund if certain conditions are met.
    

FOREIGN CUSTODIAN
    The Fund may use a foreign custodian in connection with its purchases of
foreign securities and may maintain cash and cash equivalents in the care of a
foreign custodian. The amount of cash or cash equivalents maintained in the care
of eligible foreign custodians will be limited to an amount reasonably necessary
to effect the Fund's foreign securities transactions. The use of a foreign
custodian involves considerations which are not ordinarily associated with
domestic custodians. These considerations include the possibility of
expropriations, restricted access to books and records of the foreign custodian,
inability to recover assets that are lost while under the control of the foreign
custodian, and the impact of political, social or diplomatic developments.


INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Fund's financial statements are audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, 160
Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, independent accountants for the
Fund. The independent accountants also provide other accounting and tax-related
services as requested by the Fund from time to time.


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The financial statements and the notes thereto relating to the Fund and the
report of Price Waterhouse LLP with respect thereto for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996 are contained in the Fund's Annual Report. The Annual Report
is available by calling Variable Products Operations at (800) 447-4312 or
writing to Phoenix Variable Products Mail Operations, P.O. Box 8027, Boston, MA
02266-8027. Phoenix, PHL Variable and PLAC have agreed to send a copy of both
the Annual Report and the Semiannual Report to Shareholders containing the
Fund's financial statements to every Contract Owner or Policyowner having an
interest in the Accounts. The Annual Report for the fiscal period ended December
31, 1996 is included in this Statement of Additional Information.
    


APPENDIX
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-1 AND P-1 COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
    The Money Market Series will invest only in commercial paper which at the
date of investment is rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or P-1
by Moody's Investors Services, Inc., or, if not rated, is issued or guaranteed
by companies which at the date of investment have an outstanding debt issue
rated AA or higher by Standard & Poor's or Aa or higher by Moody's.

    Commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P has the following characteristics:
Liquidity ratios are adequate to meet cash requirements. Long-term senior debt
is rated "A" or better. The issuer has access to at least two additional
channels of borrowing. Basic earnings and cash flow have an upward trend with
allowance made for unusual circumstances. Typically, the issuer's industry is
well established and the issuer has a strong position within the industry. The
reliability and quality of management are unquestioned.

                                       26
<PAGE>

    The rating P-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moody's
Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's"). Among the factors considered by Moody's in
assigning ratings are the following: (1) evaluation of the management of the
issuer; (2) economic evaluation of the issuer's industry or industries and an
appraisal of speculative-type risks which may be inherent in certain areas; (3)
evaluation of the issuer's products in relation to competition and customer
acceptance; (4) liquidity; (5) amount and quality of long-term debt; (6) trend
of earnings over a period of 10 years; (7) financial strength of a parent
company and the relationship which exists with the issuer; and (8) recognition
by the management of obligations which may be present or may arise as a result
of public interest questions and preparations to meet such obligations.


MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
AAA--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt-edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

AA--Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

BAA--Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.

BA--Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.

B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

CAA--Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.

CA--Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C--Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.


STANDARD AND POOR'S CORPORATION'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
AAA--This is the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's to a debt
obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and
interest.

AA--Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they
differ from AAA issues only in small degree.

A--Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although
they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions.

BBB--Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit protection parameters,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in this category
than for bonds in the A category.

BB-B-CCC-CC--Bonds rated BB, B, CCC and CC are regarded, on balance, as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates
the lowest degree of speculation and CC the highest degree of speculation. While
such bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these
are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse
conditions.

D--Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments
will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.

                                       27
<PAGE>


                               SEMIANNUAL REPORT

                                  JUNE 30, 1997

                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND



                                      
<PAGE>



                               Table of Contents


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Page
                                                    -----
<S>                                                 <C>
Phoenix Money Market Series    ..................      2
Phoenix Growth Series    ........................      7
Phoenix Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series   ......     12
Phoenix Strategic Allocation Series  ............     18
Phoenix International Series   ..................     24
Phoenix Balanced Series  ........................     30
Phoenix Real Estate Securities Series   .........     36
Phoenix Strategic Theme Series    ...............     40
Phoenix Aberdeen New Asia Series  ...............     45
Notes to Financial Statements  ..................     50

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                              MONEY MARKET SERIES

INVESTMENT REVIEW

     Phoenix Edge Money Market Series continued to perform well during this
six-month reporting period. As of June 30, 1997, the seven-day current yield
was 5.13% compared with the 4.97% IBC Money Fund Average as reported in IBC's
Money Fund Report.* Current yield is a seven-day annualized yield computed by
dividing the average net income earned per share during the seven days
preceding the date of calculation by the average daily net asset value per
share for the same period, multiplied by 365.

     The fixed-income market experienced significant swings in interest rates
during the first half of 1997. The first quarter was dominated by strong
economic growth, strong payroll numbers and strong consumer confidence data.
The Federal Reserve's decision to tighten monetary policy in late March was
long-awaited and much debated. In the second quarter economic releases began to
support a slower growth scenario, while the inflation environment remained
contained. High cash levels in the short-term market and lack of new issues, as
well as the unlikelihood of a further Fed tightening of monetary policy, caused
interest rates to fall.

     The Fund's average maturity was kept slightly shorter during the first
three months of the year as a defensive strategy. In the second quarter, we
gradually lengthened the average maturity to neutral so that the Fund would be
well-positioned should rates move in either direction. We continued to
emphasize high-quality commercial paper and variable-rate instruments to
enhance yield. The average credit quality remains A1/P1.


OUTLOOK

     Looking forward, we continue to anticipate a volatile fixed-income market.
Recent economic data has supported a slowdown in activity, but many key areas
remain quite strong. Resurgence of economic activity, especially in
consumer-related segments, is likely to place the market on alert for higher
interest rates.

     Our emphasis will continue to be credit quality, focusing on higher
yielding issues, such as commercial paper and variable-rate instruments. Given
the uncertainty in the market, we will maintain a neutral position and be
monitoring any movement in rates or shifts in yield spreads to identify
attractive trading opportunities.












*The IBC Money Fund Average is an average of "first tier" taxable money-market
 funds as reported in IBC's Money Fund Report.


                                       2
<PAGE>


                              MONEY MARKET SERIES

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

FACE
VALUE                                                                 INTEREST     MATURITY
(000)                                        DESCRIPTION                RATE         DATE          VALUE
- ---------------------------------   -------------------------------   ----------   ----------   ------------
<S>                                 <C>             <C>               <C>          <C>          <C>
FEDERAL AGENCY SECURITIES--7.2%
$1,500                              Federal Home Loan Banks   ......   5.69%       11/20/97       $ 1,500,000
 3,000                              Federal Home Loan Banks   ......   5.78        01/28/98         3,000,000
 2,000                              Federal Home Loan Banks   ......   5.79        01/28/98         2,000,000
 2,500                              Student Loan Marketing Assoc.      6.00        06/30/98         2,500,000
                                                                                                 ------------
TOTAL FEDERAL AGENCY SECURITIES   ............................................................      9,000,000
                                                                                                 ------------
                                                                                    RESET
                                                                                    DATE
                                                                                   -------
FEDERAL AGENCY SECURITIES--VARIABLE (b)--13.0%
 3,500                              Federal Farm Credit Banks (final   5.41        07/01/97         3,500,000
                                    maturity 4/1/99)
 4,500                              Federal Farm Credit Banks (final   5.79        07/01/97         4,501,555
                                    maturity 7/24/00)
 1,600                              Student Loan Marketing Assoc.      5.24        07/01/97         1,600,293
                                    (final maturity 10/30/97)
 1,500                              Student Loan Marketing Assoc.      5.26        07/01/97         1,498,924
                                    (final maturity 11/10/98)
 2,500                              Student Loan Marketing Assoc.      5.24        07/01/97         2,500,000
                                    (final maturity 11/24/97)
 1,000                              Student Loan Marketing Assoc.      5.27        07/01/97         1,000,000
                                    (final maturity 2/22/99)
 1,650                              Federal National Mortgage Assoc.   5.29        09/14/97         1,648,685
                                    (final maturity 12/14/98)                                    ------------
 TOTAL FEDERAL AGENCY SECURITIES--VARIABLE                                                         16,249,457
                                                                                                 ------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             STANDARD
                                                             & POOR'S              MATURITY
                                                             RATING                  DATE
                                                             ----------            ----------
<S>        <C>                                               <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>
COMMERCIAL PAPER--79.4%
 $2,000    AlliedSignal, Inc.  ...........................     A-1        5.70     07/01/97       2,000,000
  1,500    Asset Securitization Cooperative Corp.   ......     A-1+       5.62     07/01/97       1,500,000
  2,800    Donnelley (R.R.) & Sons Co.  ..................     A-1        6.25     07/01/97       2,800,000
  3,030    International Lease Finance Corp.  ............     A-1        5.54     07/03/97       3,029,067
    435    AlliedSignal, Inc.  ...........................     A-1        5.52     07/07/97         434,600
  1,765    AlliedSignal, Inc.  ...........................     A-1        5.56     07/07/97       1,763,364
  2,500    Donnelley (R.R.) & Sons Co.  ..................     A-1        5.52     07/07/97       2,497,700
  1,815    Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.    ............     A-1+       5.50     07/07/97       1,813,336
  1,507    Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.    ............     A-1+       5.53     07/07/97       1,505,611
  2,000    Warner-Lambert Co.  ...........................     A-1+       5.50     07/07/97       1,998,167
    515    Warner-Lambert Co.  ...........................     A-1+       5.55     07/07/97         514,524
    210    Du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.    ............     A-1+       5.60     07/08/97         209,771
  2,000    Goldman Sachs & Co.    ........................     A-1+       5.65     07/08/97       1,997,803
    560    Du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.    ............     A-1+       5.52     07/09/97         559,313
    225    Pitney Bowes Credit Corp.    ..................     A-1+       5.60     07/09/97         224,720
  1,850    Preferred Receivables Funding Corp.   .........     A-1        5.65     07/09/97       1,847,677
    750    Coca-Cola Co.    ..............................     A-1+       5.50     07/10/97         748,969
  1,500    Corporate Asset Funding Co., Inc.  ............     A-1+       5.60     07/10/97       1,497,900
    400    Du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.    ............     A-1+       5.55     07/10/97         399,445
  1,000    Beta Finance, Inc.  ...........................     A-1+       5.60     07/11/97         998,444
  2,500    Cargill, Inc.    ..............................     A-1+       5.54     07/14/97       2,494,999
  1,800    Heinz (H.J.) Co.    ...........................     A-1        5.60     07/14/97       1,796,360
    750    Preferred Receivables Funding Corp.   .........     A-1        5.57     07/14/97         748,491
  1,655    Private Export Funding Corp.    ...............     A-1+       5.35     07/14/97       1,651,695
  1,295    Private Export Funding Corp.    ...............     A-1+       5.56     07/14/97       1,292,400
  1,500    Exxon Imperial U.S., Inc.    ..................     A-1+       5.55     07/15/97       1,496,763
  1,000    Greenwich Funding Corp.   .....................     A-1+       5.58     07/15/97         997,830
    970    Receivables Capital Corp.    ..................     A-1        5.57     07/15/97         967,899
  2,275    Potomac Electric Power Co.   ..................     A-1        5.52     07/17/97       2,269,419
  1,000    Asset Securitization Cooperative Corp.   ......     A-1+       5.57     07/18/97         997,370
  2,970    Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.    ..................     A-1+       5.55     07/18/97       2,962,216
    600    Receivables Capital Corp.    ..................     A-1        5.56     07/18/97         598,425
    500    Corporate Receivables Corp.  ..................     A-1        5.67     07/21/97         498,425
  3,500    General Electric Capital Corp.  ...............     A-1+       5.55     07/22/97       3,500,000
  2,000    Asset Securitization Cooperative Corp.   ......     A-1+       5.55     07/25/97       1,992,600
  4,380    Private Export Funding Corp.    ...............     A-1+       5.61     07/28/97       4,361,571
  2,000    General Electric Capital Corp.  ...............     A-1+       5.55     07/29/97       2,000,000
  1,000    Greenwich Funding Corp.   .....................     A-1+       5.58     07/31/97         995,350
    400    Enterprise Funding Corp.  .....................     A-1+       5.58     08/01/97         398,078
  2,000    Preferred Receivables Funding Corp.   .........     A-1        5.58     08/04/97       1,989,460
  1,640    Ciesco L.P.   .................................     A-1+       5.60     08/05/97       1,631,071
  1,500    Receivables Capital Corp.    ..................     A-1        5.62     08/08/97       1,491,102
  1,000    Beta Finance, Inc.  ...........................     A-1+       5.80     08/14/97       1,000,000
    600    Preferred Receivables Funding Corp.   .........     A-1        5.60     08/14/97         595,893
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       3
<PAGE>


                              MONEY MARKET SERIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FACE                                                                        STANDARD
VALUE                                                                       & POOR'S   INTEREST   MATURITY
(000)                                      DESCRIPTION                       RATING      RATE       DATE            VALUE
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------------
<S>                           <C>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
COMMERCIAL PAPER--continued
$2,000                        Corporate Receivables Corp.  ...............   A-1        5.68%    08/18/97     $     1,984,853
   250                        Enterprise Funding Corp.  ..................   A-1+       5.71     08/20/97             248,017
 2,125                        Beta Finance, Inc.  ........................   A-1+       5.30     08/26/97           2,107,481
 3,000                        Pitney Bowes Credit Corp.    ...............   A-1+       5.60     08/27/97           2,973,400
 1,000                        Cargill, Inc.    ...........................   A-1+       5.38     09/03/97             990,436
 1,900                        CXC, Inc.  .................................   A-1+       5.60     09/10/97           1,879,016
 1,135                        Beta Finance, Inc.  ........................   A-1+       5.67     09/12/97           1,121,950
 1,500                        Schering Corp.   ...........................   A-1+       5.65     09/16/97           1,481,873
 2,410                        Greenwich Funding Corp.   ..................   A-1+       5.60     09/22/97           2,378,884
 1,750                        Greenwich Funding Corp.   ..................   A-1+       5.65     09/22/97           1,727,204
 1,500                        Corporate Asset Funding Co. Inc.   .........   A-1+       5.75     10/08/97           1,476,281
 3,000                        Goldman Sachs & Co.    .....................   A-1+       5.61     10/09/97           2,953,250
 1,000                        Corporate Receivables Corp.  ...............   A-1        5.75     10/24/97             981,632
 1,000                        Beta Finance, Inc.  ........................   A-1+       5.65     10/27/97             981,481
   500                        Preferred Receivables Funding Corp.   ......   A-1        5.80     11/03/97             489,931
 2,000                        Enterprise Funding Corp.  ..................   A-1+       5.73     11/13/97           1,957,025
 2,000                        Corporate Receivables Corp.  ...............   A-1        5.35     11/14/97           1,959,578
 1,000                        Pitney Bowes Credit Corp.    ...............   A-1+       5.65     11/17/97             978,185
 1,428                        Enterprise Funding Corp.  ..................   A-1+       5.71     11/25/97           1,394,705
 2,000                        Enterprise Funding Corp.  ..................   A-1+       5.69     02/27/98           1,923,816
                                                                                                              -----------------
TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER   .................................................................................         99,056,826
                                                                                                              -----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--99.6%
 (Identified cost $124,306,283)   ........................................................................        124,306,283(a)
 Cash and receivables, less liabilities--0.4%    .........................................................            428,237
                                                                                                              -----------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%    ....................................................................................    $   124,734,520
                                                                                                              =================
</TABLE>

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: At June 30, 1997, the aggregate cost of
    securities was the same for book and tax purposes.
(b) Variable rate demand notes. The interest rates shown reflect the rate
    currently in effect. The maturity dates shown reflect the next interest rate
    reset dates.

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       4

<PAGE>


                              MONEY MARKET SERIES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Assets
Investment securities at value (Identified cost $124,306,283) ..................... $124,306,283
Cash    ...........................................................................      494,223
Receivables
 Interest  ........................................................................      380,795
                                                                                    -------------
  Total assets   ..................................................................  125,181,301
                                                                                    -------------
Liabilities
Payables
 Fund shares repurchased  .........................................................      352,322
 Investment advisory fee  .........................................................       40,919
 Financial agent fee   ............................................................        6,138
 Trustees' fee   ..................................................................        3,887
 Accrued expenses   ...............................................................       43,515
                                                                                    -------------
  Total liabilities    ............................................................      446,781
                                                                                    -------------
Net Assets    ..................................................................... $124,734,520
                                                                                    =============
Net Assets Consist of:
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest    .............................. $124,734,517
 Undistributed net investment income  .............................................            3
                                                                                    -------------
Net Assets    ..................................................................... $124,734,520
                                                                                    =============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization ..   12,473,451
                                                                                    =============
Net asset value and offering price per share   ....................................       $10.00
                                                                                    =============
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
Investment Income
 Interest    ................................................     $ 3,487,254
                                                                 ------------
  Total investment income   .................................       3,487,254
                                                                 ------------
Expenses
 Investment advisory fee    .................................         251,344
 Financial agent fee  .......................................          37,702
 Printing    ................................................          14,400
 Professional   .............................................          11,389
 Trustees    ................................................           9,872
 Custodian   ................................................           8,200
 Miscellaneous  .............................................           3,782
                                                                 ------------
  Total expenses   ..........................................         336,689
                                                                 ------------
Net investment income    ....................................       3,150,565
                                                                 ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   ......     $ 3,150,565
                                                                 ============
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       5
<PAGE>


                              MONEY MARKET SERIES

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Six Months
                                                                                         Ended
                                                                                     June 30, 1997        Year Ended
                                                                                      (Unaudited)       December 31, 1996
                                                                                     ----------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>                <C>
From Operations
 Net investment income   .........................................................   $   3,150,565       $    5,274,565
                                                                                     --------------      --------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  ...........................       3,150,565            5,274,565
                                                                                     --------------      --------------
From Distributions to Shareholders
 Net investment income   .........................................................      (3,150,565)          (5,303,654)
                                                                                     --------------      --------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders   .....................      (3,150,565)          (5,303,654)
                                                                                     --------------      --------------
From Share Transactions
 Proceeds from sales of shares (16,252,189 and 31,500,976 shares, respectively)        162,521,888          315,009,761
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions
  (315,056 and 530,365 shares, respectively)  ....................................       3,150,565            5,303,654
 Cost of shares repurchased (17,229,932 and 29,186,637 shares, respectively)   ...    (172,299,339)        (291,866,357)
                                                                                     --------------      --------------
 Increase (decrease) in net assets from share transactions   .....................      (6,626,886)          28,447,058
                                                                                     --------------      --------------
 Net increase (decrease) in net assets  ..........................................      (6,626,886)          28,417,969
Net Assets
 Beginning of period  ............................................................     131,361,406          102,943,437
                                                                                     --------------      --------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $3 and
  $3, respectively)   ............................................................   $ 124,734,520       $  131,361,406
                                                                                     ==============      ==============
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Six Months
                                                     Ended
                                                    6/30/97
                                                (Unaudited)
                                                ----------------
<S>                                             <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period  .........  $    10.00
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income    .....................        0.25
                                                 ----------
  Total from investment operations    .........        0.25
                                                 ----------
Less distributions
  Dividends from net investment income   ......       (0.25)
                                                 ----------
   Total distributions    .....................       (0.25)
                                                 ----------
Net asset value, end of period  ...............  $    10.00
                                                 ==========
Total return  .................................        2.48%(4)
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)    ......  $  124,735
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses    ........................        0.54%(3)
 Net investment income    .....................        5.01%(3)



<CAPTION>
                                                                       Year ended December 31,
                                                   1996           1995           1994           1993          1992
                                                ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------- -----------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period  .........  $  10.00    $    10.00       $  10.00       $  10.00       $  10.00
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income    .....................      0.50          0.56           0.38(1)        0.28(1)        0.35
                                                 --------    ----------       ---------      ---------      --------
  Total from investment operations    .........      0.50          0.56           0.38           0.28           0.35
                                                 --------    ----------       ---------      ---------      --------
Less distributions
  Dividends from net investment income   ......     (0.50)        (0.56)         (0.38)         (0.28)         (0.35)
                                                 --------    ----------       ---------      ---------      --------
   Total distributions    .....................     (0.50)        (0.56)         (0.38)         (0.28)         (0.35)
                                                 --------    ----------       ---------      ---------      --------
Net asset value, end of period  ...............  $  10.00    $    10.00       $  10.00       $  10.00       $  10.00
                                                 ========    ==========       =========      =========      ========
Total return  .................................      4.98%         5.55%          3.77%          2.80%          3.50%
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)    ......  $131,361    $  102,943       $ 94,586       $ 72,946       $ 69,962
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses    ........................      0.55%         0.53%(2)       0.55%          0.55%          0.50%
 Net investment income    .....................      4.89%         5.57%          3.85%          2.84%          3.49%
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of
    $0.003 and $0.01 per share, respectively.
(2) The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excludes the effect
    of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were included,
    the ratio would not significantly differ.
(3) Annualized
(4) Not annualized

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       6
<PAGE>


                                 GROWTH SERIES

INVESTMENT REVIEW

     For the six months ended June 30, 1997, Phoenix Edge Growth Series
returned 9.81% compared with a return of 13.85% for a peer group of 684 growth
funds in the variable annuity category, according to Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc. The S&P 500 Stock Index* was up 20.53% over the same period. All
performance figures assume reinvestment of dividends and exclude the effect of
sales charges.

     The strong performance of market indices, such as the S&P 500, continued
over the reporting period--a result of the narrowing that has occurred in the
market as an ever decreasing group of large-capitalization companies drove
index performance while the majority of stocks lagged. This trend has been
fueled, in large part, by investor concerns over the sustainability of
corporate earnings trends as well as uncertainty over the direction of interest
rates.

     The market's focus on larger companies has detracted from the Fund's
relative performance. While many large-cap stocks are held in the portfolio,
the Fund also contains many mid-cap stocks with rapid growth prospects, which
the market has yet to recognize.

     Over the reporting period, the Fund benefited from holdings in steady
growth sectors, such as consumer staples, financial services and health-care.
Our holdings in technology and other economically sensitive areas, including
basic materials and capital goods, held back performance. Energy stocks had
mixed results, beginning the period with a strong surge, then weakening in the
poor seasonal February and March time frame, before rallying during the second
quarter.


OUTLOOK

     Looking ahead, we believe that the equity market will continue to be
buffeted by increased volatility. As the economy matures, the ability of
companies to generate abundant earnings growth will become more difficult.

     The Fund's goal is to invest in companies that can continue to exhibit
relatively strong growth in a more challenging environment. We believe good
growth trends are available in health-care, financial services and technology
and have overweighted the portfolio in these sectors. We have also added
selected consumer staples stocks.











* The S&P 500 Stock Index is an unmanaged, commonly used measure of total
  return stock performance.


                                       7
<PAGE>


                                 GROWTH SERIES

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    SHARES          VALUE
                                                    ----------- ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>
COMMON STOCKS--81.4%
Banks--4.5%
  Ahmanson (H.F.) & Co.    ........................     464,400   $   19,969,200
  Banc One Corp.  .................................     298,000       14,434,375
  Chase Manhattan Corp.    ........................     190,300       18,470,994
  Republic New York Corp.  ........................      79,800        8,578,500
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      61,453,069
                                                                 ---------------
Chemical--Specialty--1.0%
  Praxair, Inc.   .................................     247,900       13,882,400
                                                                 ---------------
Computer Software & Services--1.5%
  Adaptec, Inc. (b)  ..............................     333,300       11,582,175
  HBO & Co.    ....................................     130,900        9,015,737
  Sterling Commerce, Inc. (b)    ..................           1               33
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      20,597,945
                                                                 ---------------
Conglomerates--2.0%
  Tyco International Ltd.  ........................     385,700       26,830,256
                                                                 ---------------
Cosmetics & Soaps--2.2%
  Colgate-Palmolive Co.    ........................     463,000       30,210,750
                                                                 ---------------
Diversified Financial Services--4.0%
  American Express Co.  ...........................     229,400       17,090,300
  Conseco, Inc.   .................................   1,025,700       37,950,900
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      55,041,200
                                                                 ---------------
Electronics--1.7%
  Intel Corp.  ....................................     167,600       23,767,775
                                                                 ---------------
Healthcare--Diversified--1.2%
  American Home Products Corp.   ..................     210,600       16,110,900
                                                                 ---------------
Healthcare--Drugs--3.6%
  Eli Lilly & Co.    ..............................     219,800       24,026,888
  Pfizer, Inc.    .................................     213,300       25,489,350
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      49,516,238
                                                                 ---------------
Hospital Management & Services--6.7%
  Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. (b)    ............     386,500       13,044,375
  Health Management Association, Inc. Class A (b)       316,200        9,011,700
  HEALTHSOUTH Corp. (b)    ........................     944,100       23,543,494
  Oxford Health Plans (b)  ........................     257,400       18,468,450
  Pacificare Health Systems, Inc. Class B (b)   ...      97,900        6,253,362
  Tenet Healthcare Corp. (b)  .....................     738,400       21,828,950
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      92,150,331
                                                                 ---------------
Insurance--3.9%
  Aetna, Inc.  ....................................     364,600       37,325,925
  Allstate Corp.  .................................     212,400       15,505,200
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      52,831,125
                                                                 ---------------
Lodging & Restaurants--1.1%
  Wendy's International, Inc.    ..................     588,800       15,272,000
                                                                 ---------------
Medical Products & Supplies--2.6%
  Johnson & Johnson  ..............................     555,500       35,760,313
                                                                 ---------------
Natural Gas--2.2%
  Sonat, Inc.  ....................................     587,000       30,083,750
                                                                 ---------------
Office & Business Equipment--5.0%
  Compaq Computer Corp. (b)   .....................     331,000       32,851,750
  EMC Corp. (b)   .................................     553,700       21,594,300
  Gateway 2000, Inc. (b)   ........................     408,400       13,247,475
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      67,693,525
                                                                 ---------------
Oil--2.8%
  Texaco, Inc.    .................................     238,000       25,882,500
  Unocal Corp.    .................................     314,800       12,218,175
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      38,100,675
                                                                 ---------------


                                                    SHARES          VALUE
                                                    ----------- ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>
Oil Service & Equipment--2.0%
  Halliburton Co.    ..............................     175,000   $   13,868,750
  Schlumberger Ltd.  ..............................     110,000       13,750,000
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      27,618,750
                                                                 ---------------
Paper & Forest Products--1.8%
  Kimberly Clark Corp.  ...........................     483,900       24,074,025
                                                                 ---------------
Pollution Control--3.4%
  U.S. Filter Corp. (b)    ........................     425,800       11,603,050
  U.S.A. Waste Services, Inc. (b)   ...............     436,500       16,859,812
  United Waste Systems, Inc. (b)    ...............     434,100       17,798,100
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      46,260,962
                                                                 ---------------
Professional Services--1.0%
  HFS, Inc. (b)   .................................     236,000       13,688,000
                                                                 ---------------
Retail--6.3%
  Home Depot, Inc.   ..............................     762,800       52,585,525
  Lowe's Companies, Inc.   ........................     353,400       13,119,975
  Staples, Inc. (b)  ..............................     873,600       20,311,200
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      86,016,700
                                                                 ---------------
Retail--Drugs--2.6%
  Rite Aid Corp.  .................................     702,700       35,047,163
                                                                 ---------------
Retail--Food--4.4%
  Safeway, Inc. (b)  ..............................     853,600       39,372,300
  Sysco Corp.  ....................................     557,600       20,352,400
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      59,724,700
                                                                 ---------------
Telecommunications Equipment--6.0%
  Andrew Corp. (b)   ..............................     395,400       11,120,625
  Ascend Communications, Inc. (b)   ...............     255,700       10,068,187
  Cisco Systems, Inc. (b)  ........................     534,800       35,898,450
  Newbridge Networks Corp. (b)   ..................     581,800       25,308,300
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      82,395,562
                                                                 ---------------
Tobacco--3.8%
  Philip Morris Companies, Inc.  ..................   1,173,600       52,078,500
                                                                 ---------------
Utility--Telephone--4.1%
  LCI International, Inc. (b)    ..................   1,461,600       31,972,500
  WorldCom, Inc. (b)    ...........................     744,800       23,833,600
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                      55,806,100
                                                                 ---------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $1,012,089,061)  ...........................    1,112,012,714
                                                                 ---------------
FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS--12.0%
Electronics--2.0%
  Philips Electronics NV ADR (Netherlands)   ......     381,000       27,384,375
                                                                 ---------------
Healthcare--Drugs--2.3%
  SmithKline Beecham PLC Sponsored ADR
    (United Kingdom) (b)   ........................     345,800       31,683,925
                                                                 ---------------
Oil--1.5%
  Total Compagnie Francaise Des Petroles ADR
    (France)   ....................................     397,700       20,133,563
                                                                 ---------------
Oil Service & Equipment--2.4%
  Elf Aquitane Sponsored ADR (France)  ............     595,900       32,439,306
                                                                 ---------------
Pipelines--1.1%
  Eni Spa (Italy) (b)   ...........................   2,675,000       15,140,500
                                                                 ---------------
Telecommunications Equipment--2.7%
  Oy Nokia Corp. Sponsored ADR (Finland)  .........     502,100       37,029,875
                                                                 ---------------
TOTAL FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $141,414,318) ..............................      163,811,544
                                                                 ---------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--93.4%
  (Identified cost $1,153,503,379)  ...........................    1,275,824,258
                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       8
<PAGE>


                                 GROWTH SERIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    STANDARD     PAR
                                                    & POOR'S    VALUE
                                                     RATING     (000)            VALUE
                                                    ---------- --------- -----------------------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>         <C>
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--7.5%
Commercial Paper--6.6%
  Mobil Corp. 6.25%, 7-1-97   .....................   A-1+      $18,550    $     18,550,000
  Donnelley (R.R.) & Sons Co. 5.52%,
    7-7-97  .......................................   A-1           985             984,094
  Donnelley (R.R.) & Sons Co. 5.55%,
    7-7-97  .......................................   A-1         1,665           1,663,460
  Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.
    5.50%, 7-7-97    ..............................   A-1+        5,925           5,919,568
  Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.
    5.65%, 7-7-97    ..............................   A-1+        1,060           1,059,002
  General Electric Capital Corp. 5.62%,
    7-8-97  .......................................   A-1+        7,500           7,500,000
  Enterprise Funding Corp. 5.60%,
    7-10-97 .......................................   A-1+        3,366           3,361,288
  Heinz (H.J.) Co. 5.57%, 7-14-97   ...............   A-1         4,570           4,560,808
  Preferred Receivables Funding Corp.
    5.57%, 7-14-97   ..............................   A-1           310             309,376
  Private Export Funding Corp. 5.56%,
    7-14-97    ....................................   A-1+          765             763,464
  Private Export Funding Corp. 5.57%,
    7-14-97 .......................................   A-1+        3,160           3,153,132
  Goldman Sachs & Co. 5.57%, 7-15-97  .............   A-1+        1,755           1,751,198
  General Electric Capital Corp. 5.60%,
    7-17-97    ....................................   A-1+        3,000           2,991,890
  General Electric Co. 5.60%, 7-17-97  ............   A-1+       11,645          11,616,017
  Kellogg Co. 5.55%, 7-18-97  .....................   A-1+          390             388,978
  Du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.
    5.52%, 7-21-97   ..............................   A-1+        2,060           2,053,683


                                                    STANDARD     PAR
                                                    & POOR'S    VALUE
                                                     RATING     (000)            VALUE
                                                    ---------- --------- -----------------------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>       <C>
Commercial Paper--continued
  Private Export Funding Corp. 5.61%,
    7-28-97    ....................................   A-1+       $ 5,000    $      4,978,426
  General Electric Capital Corp. 5.55%,
    7-31-97    ....................................   A-1+         2,250           2,239,594
  Ciesco L.P. 5.60%, 8-5-97   .....................   A-1+           718             713,979
  Receivables Capital Corp. 5.62%,
    8-8-97  .......................................   A-1          7,500           7,455,508
  Cargill, Inc. 5.55%, 9-5-97    ..................   A-1+           200             197,934
  Beta Finance, Inc. 5.55%, 9-12-97    ............   A-1+         1,115           1,102,278
  Schering Corp. 5.65%, 9-16-97  ..................   A-1+         2,390           2,361,272
  Goldman Sachs & Co. 5.55%, 10-9-97 ..............   A-1+         1,045           1,028,698
  Corporate Receivables Corp. 5.75%,
    10-24-97   ....................................   A-1          3,250           3,191,370
                                                                            -----------------
                                                                                  89,895,017
                                                                            -----------------
Federal Agency Securities--0.9%
  Federal Farm Credit Banks 5.55%,
    7-1-97  .......................................               10,000           9,999,969
  Student Loan Marketing Assoc. 6%,
    6-30-98    ....................................                2,500           2,500,675
                                                                            -----------------
                                                                                  12,500,644
                                                                            -----------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS
 (Identified cost $102,395,997)  ..................                              102,395,661
                                                                            -----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--100.9%
 (Identified cost $1,255,899,376)   ...............                            1,378,219,919(a)
 Cash and receivables, less liabilities--(0.9%) ...                              (12,956,056)
                                                                            -----------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%   ..............................                         $  1,365,263,863
                                                                            =================
</TABLE>

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $142,132,103 and gross
    depreciation of $19,811,560 for income tax purposes. At June 30, 1997, the
    aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was
    $1,255,899,376.
(b) Non-income producing.

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       9
<PAGE>


                                 GROWTH SERIES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
Assets
Investment securities at value (Identified cost $1,255,899,376) .................. $1,378,219,919
Cash   ...........................................................................          2,577
Receivables
 Investment securities sold    ...................................................     25,793,617
 Dividends and interest  .........................................................      1,616,252
 Fund shares sold  ...............................................................        175,209
                                                                                   ---------------
  Total assets  ..................................................................  1,405,807,574
                                                                                   ---------------
Liabilities
Payables
 Investment securities purchased  ................................................     39,623,075
 Investment advisory fee    ......................................................        699,597
 Financial agent fee  ............................................................         66,877
 Trustees' fee  ..................................................................          3,830
 Accrued expenses  ...............................................................        150,332
                                                                                   ---------------
  Total liabilities   ............................................................     40,543,711
                                                                                   ---------------
Net Assets   ..................................................................... $1,365,263,863
                                                                                   ===============
Net Assets Consist of:
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest   .............................. $1,170,060,307
 Undistributed net investment income    ..........................................         75,845
 Accumulated net realized gain    ................................................     72,807,168
 Net unrealized appreciation   ...................................................    122,320,543
                                                                                   ---------------
Net Assets   ..................................................................... $1,365,263,863
                                                                                   ===============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization       70,131,002
                                                                                   ===============
Net asset value and offering price per share  ....................................         $19.47
                                                                                   ===============
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
Investment Income
 Dividends   .........................................................  $  6,663,003
 Interest    .........................................................     3,789,316
                                                                        ------------
  Total investment income   ..........................................    10,452,319
                                                                        ------------
Expenses
 Investment advisory fee    ..........................................     4,029,178
 Financial agent fee  ................................................       384,322
 Printing    .........................................................        70,328
 Custodian   .........................................................        25,000
 Professional   ......................................................        16,908
 Trustees    .........................................................        10,872
 Miscellaneous  ......................................................        16,477
                                                                        ------------
  Total expenses   ...................................................     4,553,085
                                                                        ------------
Net investment income    .............................................     5,899,234
                                                                        ------------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
 Net realized gain on securities  ....................................    73,683,766
 Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions    ...............       (55,537)
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments      41,570,427
                                                                        ------------
Net gain on investments  .............................................   115,198,656
                                                                        ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   ...............  $121,097,890
                                                                        ============
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       10
<PAGE>


                                 GROWTH SERIES

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Six Months
                                                                                        Ended
                                                                                    June 30, 1997        Year Ended
                                                                                     (Unaudited)       December 31, 1996
                                                                                    ----------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>                <C>
From Operations
 Net investment income  .........................................................   $   5,899,234       $   11,543,617
 Net realized gain   ............................................................      73,628,229          151,631,180
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    ........................      41,570,427          (28,811,458)
                                                                                    --------------      --------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations    ........................     121,097,890          134,363,339
                                                                                    --------------      --------------
From Distributions to Shareholders
 Net investment income  .........................................................      (6,562,743)         (10,973,300)
 Net realized gains  ............................................................     (77,550,466)         (82,322,855)
                                                                                    --------------      --------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders  .....................     (84,113,209)         (93,296,155)
                                                                                    --------------      --------------
From Share Transactions
 Proceeds from sales of shares (6,569,991 and 16,369,935 shares, respectively)        129,331,821          309,035,692
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions
  (4,320,484 and 4,853,881 shares, respectively)   ..............................      84,113,209           93,296,155
 Cost of shares repurchased (6,150,393 and 10,173,971 shares, respectively)   ...    (120,560,381)        (193,393,445)
                                                                                    --------------      --------------
 Increase in net assets from share transactions    ..............................      92,884,649          208,938,402
                                                                                    --------------      --------------
 Net increase in net assets   ...................................................     129,869,330          250,005,586
Net Assets
 Beginning of period    .........................................................   1,235,394,533          985,388,947
                                                                                    --------------      --------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $75,845 and
  $739,354, respectively)  ......................................................   $1,365,263,863      $1,235,394,533
                                                                                    ==============      ==============
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Six Months
                                                     Ended
                                                    6/30/97
                                                 (Unaudited)
                                               ------------------
<S>                                            <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period    ......   $    18.89
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income   .....................         0.09
 Net realized and unrealized gain    .........         1.77
                                                 ----------
  Total from investment operations   .........         1.86
                                                 ----------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income   ......        (0.10)
 Dividends from net realized gains   .........        (1.18)
                                                 ----------
  Total distributions    .....................        (1.28)
                                                 ----------
Change in net asset value   ..................         0.58
                                                 ----------
Net asset value, end of period    ............   $    19.47
                                                 ==========
Total return    ..............................         9.81%(6)
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   ......   $1,365,264
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses   ........................         0.71%(5)
 Net investment income   .....................         0.92%(5)
Portfolio turnover rate  .....................          186%(6)
Average commission rate paid(4)   ............   $   0.0501



<CAPTION>
                                                                            Year Ended December 31,
                                                   1996            1995               1994              1993           1992
                                               -------------- ---------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>              <C>                  <C>            <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period    ......  $    18.13    $15.69           $  16.59              $  15.01       $  14.43
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income   .....................        0.19    0.20                0.23(1)(3)            0.16(3)        0.22(3)
 Net realized and unrealized gain    .........        2.10    4.60                0.02                  2.77           1.25
                                                ----------    ---------        -----------           ----------     ----------
  Total from investment operations   .........        2.29    4.80                0.25                  2.93           1.47
                                                ----------    ---------        -----------           ----------     ----------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income   ......       (0.18)   (0.17)             (0.23)                (0.15)         (0.23)
 Dividends from net realized gains   .........       (1.35)   (2.19)             (0.92)                (1.20)         (0.66)
                                                ----------    ---------        -----------           ----------     ----------
  Total distributions    .....................       (1.53)   (2.36)             (1.15)                (1.35)         (0.89)
                                                ----------    ---------        -----------           ----------     ----------
Change in net asset value   ..................        0.76     2.44              (0.90)                 1.58           0.58
                                                ----------    ---------        -----------           ----------     ----------
Net asset value, end of period    ............  $    18.89    $18.13           $  15.69              $  16.59       $  15.01
                                                ==========    =========        ===========           ==========     ==========
Total return    ..............................       12.58%    30.85%              1.48%                19.69%         10.29%
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   ......  $1,235,395    $985,389         $616,221              $446,368       $245,565
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses   ........................        0.72%   0.75%(2)            0.80%                 0.79%          0.50%
 Net investment income   .....................        1.03%   1.12%               1.38%                 0.97%          1.66%
Portfolio turnover rate  .....................         167%    173%                185%                  185%           214%
Average commission rate paid(4)   ............  $   0.0455     N/A                 N/A                   N/A            N/A

</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of
    $0.003 per share.
(2) The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excludes the effect
    of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were included,
    the ratio would not significantly differ.
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(4) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal
    basis.
(5) Annualized
(6) Not annualized

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       11
<PAGE>


                        MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES

INVESTMENT REVIEW

     The Phoenix Edge Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series continued to provide
investors with above-average returns. For the six months ended June 30, 1997,
the Fund was up 4.68% compared with a return of 3.09% for the Lehman Brothers
Aggregate Bond Index.* All performance figures assume reinvestment of dividends
and exclude the effect of sales charges.

     Favorable market conditions prevailed as market participants benefited
from lower volatility and solid fundamental credit conditions. Investors were
well-rewarded for taking incremental credit risk. The more conservative
fixed-income sectors, such as Treasuries and top-tier investment-grade
corporate issues, generally lagged the overall market.

     The Fund's very strong performance over the last six months resulted from
our emphasis on less traditional sectors of the fixed-income market. The
emerging-market and domestic high-yield sectors continued to outperform all
other fixed-income categories, and the Fund benefited from its exposure in
these areas. Additionally, our decision to focus on high-yielding, non-agency
mortgage-backed securities, rather than more conventional agency
mortgage-backed issues, proved to be rewarding as these less efficient sectors
continued to produce strong results.


OUTLOOK

     Given our outlook for moderate growth and benign inflation in the U.S., we
will emphasize higher-rated credits within the domestic high-yield universe as
we move into the later stages of the economic cycle. We will continue to take
advantage of undervalued credits, focusing on oil and gas exploration and
production companies, given the improving fundamentals in this sector.

     We also believe the emerging-market sector provides favorable
opportunities for long-term appreciation. The focus has been on identifying
emerging countries that are experiencing the types of improvements in their
infrastructure associated with a better standard of living. Our research has
led us to a number of rewarding investment opportunities in Central and Eastern
Europe.











*The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, commonly used
 measure of bond market total return performance.


                                       12
<PAGE>


                        MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   MOODY'S     PAR
                                                     BOND     VALUE
                                                    RATING    (000)       VALUE
                                                   --------- -------- --------------
<S>                                                <C>       <C>      <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES--15.5%
U.S. Treasury Bonds--4.6%
  U.S. Treasury Bonds 6%, '26 (e)  ...............  Aaa      $7,500   $  6,710,153
  U.S. Treasury Bonds 6.625%, '27  ...............  Aaa         500        489,062
                                                                      -------------
                                                                         7,199,215
                                                                      -------------
U.S. Treasury Notes--3.1%
  U.S. Treasury Inflation Index Notes
    3.375%, '07 (d)(e)    ........................  Aaa       5,000      4,935,432
                                                                      -------------
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--5.6%
  FHLMC 7.50%, '18  ..............................  Aaa         148        148,168
  FNMA ACES 7.298%, '18 (e)  .....................  Aaa       7,000      7,105,000
  GNMA 8%, '06   .................................  Aaa         180        186,915
  GNMA 6.50%, '23-'26  ...........................  Aaa       1,506      1,442,666
                                                                      -------------
                                                                         8,882,749
                                                                      -------------
Agency Non Mortgage-Backed Securities--2.2%
  Overseas Private Investment Corp.
    6.58%, '01 (e)  ..............................  Aaa       3,500      3,473,400
                                                                      -------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES
  (Identified cost $24,495,743) ....................................     24,490,796
                                                                       -------------
NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--45.8%
Asset-Backed Securities--6.0%
  Continental Airlines 144A 7.522%, '01 (b)         Ba        1,600      1,600,000
  Franchise Mortgage Acceptance Co. LLC
    Loan Receivables Trust 97-A, D 144A
    8.14%, '11 (b)  ..............................  BBB(c)      500        506,170
  Green Tree Financial Corp. 94-1, B2
    7.85%, '19   .................................  Baa       3,000      3,023,437
  Green Tree Financial Corp. 97-4, M1
    7.22%, '28   .................................  Aa        2,500      2,471,875
  Team Fleet Financing Corp. 96-1, B
    144A 7.10%, '02 (b)   ........................  BBB(c)    1,975      1,958,645
                                                                      -------------
                                                                         9,560,127
                                                                      -------------
Auto & Truck Parts--0.9%
  Titan Wheel International, Inc. 8.75%,
    '07    .......................................  B         1,400      1,428,000
                                                                      -------------
Building & Materials--0.5%
  Neenah Corp. 144A 11.125%, '07 (b)  ............  B           800        852,000
                                                                      -------------
Chemical--1.0%
  General Chemical, Inc. 9.25%, '03   ............  B         1,500      1,537,500
                                                                      -------------
Natural Gas--2.8%
  Forcenergy, Inc. 8.50%, '07   ..................  B         4,500      4,410,000
                                                                      -------------
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--22.3%
  Equitable Life 174, D1 144A 7.77%,
    '06 (b)   ....................................  Baa       2,000      2,075,625
  FDIC REMIC Trust 96-C1, 1D 7.25%, '26             Baa       1,500      1,481,719
  First Chicago/Lennar Trust 97-CHL1, D
    144A 8.11%, '08 (b)   ........................  BB(c)     2,000      1,911,875
  G.E. Capital Mortgage Services, Inc.
    96-8, 2A5 7.50%, '26  ........................  AAA(c)      990        989,721
  Kidder Peabody Acceptance Corp.
    94-C2, D 7.18%, '05   ........................  BBB(c)      500        501,563
  Lehman Structured Securities Corp.
    96-1, E1 7.995%, '26  ........................  BBB(c)    2,407      2,465,172
  Morgan Stanley Capital Corp. I 96-WF1,
    C 144A 6.59%, '06 (b)    .....................  A         1,250      1,200,000


                                                   MOODY'S     PAR
                                                     BOND     VALUE
                                                    RATING    (000)       VALUE
                                                   --------- -------- --------------
<S>                                                <C>       <C>      <C>
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--continued
  Mortgage Capital Funding, Inc. 96-MC2,
    D 7.257%, '06   ..............................  Baa      $2,000   $  1,994,375
  Residential Asset Securitization Trust
    96-A4, A13 7.50%, '26    .....................  AAA(c)    1,000        999,375
  Residential Asset Securitization Trust
    96-A8, A1 8%, '26  ...........................  AAA(c)    1,662      1,683,180
  Resolution Trust Corp. 92-C8, D
    8.835%, '23  .................................  Baa       1,871      1,928,188
  Resolution Trust Corp. 93-C3, A4
    6.55%, '24   .................................  Aaa         136        135,712
  Resolution Trust Corp. 95-C2, C 7%,
    '27    .......................................  A         1,824      1,813,124
  Resolution Trust Corp. 95-1, M2 7.50%,
    '28    .......................................  Aa        1,881      1,894,830
  Resolution Trust Corp. 95-2, M1 7.15%,
    '29    .......................................  Aa        1,536      1,531,165
  Resolution Trust Corp. 95-2, C1 7.45%,
    '29    .......................................  Baa       1,491      1,489,574
  Ryland Mortgage Securities Corp. III
    92-A, 1A 8.279%, '30  ........................  A-(c)       888        880,972
  Securitized Asset Sales, Inc. 95-6, B3
    144A 7%, '10 (b)   ...........................  NR        1,366      1,229,054
  Securitized Asset Sales, Inc. 95-A, M
    7.53%, '24   .................................  Aa        1,807      1,798,456
  Structured Asset Securities Corp.
    93-C1, B 6.60%, '24 (e)  .....................  A+(c)     2,250      2,152,443
  Structured Asset Securities Corp.
    95-C1, D 7.375%, '24 (e)    ..................  BBB(c)    2,000      1,998,125
  Structured Asset Securities Corp.
    95-C4, D 7%, '26 (e)  ........................  BBB(c)    1,900      1,856,656
  Structured Asset Securities Corp.
    96-C3, C 144A 7.375%, '30 (b)(e)  ............  BBB(c)    1,150      1,153,234
                                                                      -------------
                                                                        35,164,138
                                                                      -------------
Oil--5.0%
  Benton Oil & Gas Co. 11.625%, '03   ............  B         1,000      1,097,500
  Lomak Petroleum, Inc. 8.75%, '07    ............  B         1,750      1,732,500
  Ocean Energy, Inc. 144A 8.875%,
    '07 (b)   ....................................  B         3,000      3,000,000
  Snyder Oil Corp. 8.75%, '07   ..................  B         2,000      2,000,000
                                                                      -------------
                                                                         7,830,000
                                                                      -------------
Paper & Forest Products--0.6%
  Buckeye Cellulose Corp. 8.50%, '05  ............  Ba          950        963,063
                                                                      -------------
Publishing, Broadcasting, Printing & Cable--2.5%
  Cablevision Systems Corp. 9.875%, '23             B         1,000      1,050,000
  Hollinger International Publishing, Inc.
    9.25%, '07   .................................  B           650        664,625
  Poland Communications, Inc. 144A
    9.875%, '03 (b)    ...........................  B         2,200      2,213,750
                                                                      -------------
                                                                         3,928,375
                                                                      -------------
Retail--Food Service--0.0%
  ARA Services, Inc. 10.625%, '00  ...............  Baa          54         58,995
                                                                      -------------
Telecommunications--1.5%
  Call-Net Enterprises 0%, '04 (d)    ............  B         2,000      1,735,000
  Orion Network Systems, Inc. 0%,
    '07 (d)   ....................................  B         1,000        580,000
                                                                      -------------
                                                                         2,315,000
                                                                      -------------
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       13
<PAGE>


                        MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               MOODY'S     PAR
                                               BOND       VALUE
                                                RATING    (000)      VALUE
                                               --------- -------- -------------
<S>                                            <C>       <C>      <C>
Textile & Apparel--2.7%
  Westpoint Stevens, Inc. 9.375%, '05   ......  B        $4,000   $  4,205,000
                                                                  -------------
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS
  (Identified cost $71,360,258)   ..............................    72,252,198
                                                                   -------------
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES--7.0%
Dominican Republic--0.3%
  Dominican Republic PDI Bearer
    6.438%, '09 (d)   ........................  B+(c)       500        441,875
                                                                  -------------
Morocco--1.2%
  Morocco R&C Agreement Series A
    6.813%, '09 (d)   ........................  NR        2,000      1,827,500
                                                                  -------------
Philippines--0.8%
  Republic of Philippines 144A 8.75%,
    '16 (b)  .................................  Ba        1,301      1,314,173
                                                                  -------------
Poland--2.2%
  Poland PDI Bearer 4%, '14 (d)   ............  Baa       4,000      3,420,000
                                                                  -------------
Slovenia--0.1%
  Republic of Slovenia Series 1, 144A
    6.75%, '06 (b)(d)    .....................  A(c)        132        132,395
  Republic of Slovenia Series 2, 144A
    6.313%, '06 (b)(d)   .....................  A(c)         28         27,527
                                                                  -------------
                                                                       159,922
                                                                  -------------
Venezuela--2.4%
  Republic of Venezuela FLIRB A Euro
    6.75%, '07 (d)    ........................  Ba        2,857      2,660,714
  Republic of Venezuela NMB Series A
    6.875%, '05 (d)   ........................  Ba        1,250      1,167,187
                                                                  -------------
                                                                     3,827,901
                                                                  -------------
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
  (Identified cost $9,740,619) .................................    10,991,371
                                                                   -------------
FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--20.9%
Argentina--3.8%
  Bridas Corp. Sr. Note 12.50%, '99  .........  B         1,600      1,756,000
  CEI Citicorp Holdings 144A 9.75%,
    '07 (b)  .................................  BB-(c)    4,000      4,165,000
                                                                  -------------
                                                                     5,921,000
                                                                  -------------
Bahamas--0.6%
  Sun International Hotels 9%, '07   .........  Ba        1,000      1,020,000
                                                                  -------------
Brazil--5.6%
  Comp Energetica Sao Paul 144A
    9.125%, '07 (b)(d)   .....................  NR        1,500      1,456,875
  CSN Iron SA 144A 9.125%, '07 (b)   .........  NR        1,500      1,460,625
  Globo Communicacoes Participacoes
    SA 144A 10.50%, '06 (b)    ...............  BB-(c)    2,000      2,115,000
  RBS Participacoes SA 144A 11%,
    '07 (b)  .................................  BB-(c)    2,500      2,640,625
  Tevecap SA 12.625%, '04   ..................  NR        1,000      1,080,000
                                                                  -------------
                                                                     8,753,125
                                                                  -------------
Chile--1.2%
  Compania Sud Amer Vapore 7.375%,
    '03   ....................................  BBB(c)    2,000      1,967,500
                                                                  -------------
Greece--1.2%
  Fage Dairy Industries SA 144A 9%,
    '07 (b)  .................................  B         2,000      1,925,000
                                                                  -------------
Hong Kong--1.2%
  Road King Infrastructure Ltd. 144A
    9.50%, '07 (b)    ........................  NR        1,875      1,889,062
                                                                  -------------


                                               MOODY'S     PAR
                                                 BOND     VALUE
                                                RATING    (000)      VALUE
                                               --------- -------- -------------
<S>                                            <C>       <C>      <C>
Indonesia--0.5%
  Polytama International 11.25%, '07    ......  B        $  750   $    776,250
                                                                  -------------
Mexico--3.4%
  Coca-Cola Femsa 8.95%, '06   ...............  Ba        2,000      2,039,500
  Copamex Industries SA 144A 11.375%,
    '04 (b)  .................................  B         3,000      3,258,750
                                                                  -------------
                                                                     5,298,250
                                                                  -------------
Philippines--1.2%
  Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.
    8.35%, '17  ..............................  Ba        2,000      1,902,160
                                                                  -------------
South Korea--1.4%
  Hyundai Motor Co. 144A 7.60%,
    '07 (b)  .................................  NR        2,200      2,198,702
                                                                  -------------
Venezuela--0.8%
  CanTV Finance Ltd. 9.25%, '04   ............  Ba        1,200      1,225,500
                                                                  -------------
TOTAL FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS
  (Identified cost $31,867,224)   .............................     32,876,549
                                                                  -------------
FOREIGN CONVERTIBLE BONDS--3.6%
Mexico--0.9%
  Empresas ICA Sociedad Euro Cv.
    5%, '04  .................................  B(c)      1,700      1,351,500
                                                                  -------------
Russia--2.7%
  Lukinter Finance BV 3.50%, '02  ............  NR        3,450      4,312,500
                                                                  -------------
TOTAL FOREIGN CONVERTIBLE BONDS
  (Identified cost $5,549,157) ................................      5,664,000
                                                                  -------------
MUNICIPAL BONDS--7.8%
California--1.6%
  Orange County Pension A Taxable
    7.67%, '09  ..............................  Aaa       2,500      2,596,825
                                                                  -------------
Florida--1.5%
  Palm Beach Waste Revenue Project B
    Taxable 10.50%, '11  .....................  NR        1,500      1,028,760
  University of Miami Exchangeable
    Revenue Series A Taxable 7.65%, '20  .....  Aaa       1,290      1,286,775
                                                                  -------------
                                                                     2,315,535
                                                                  -------------
Illinois--1.8%
  Illinois Educational Facilities Authority
    Revenue--Loyola University Series A
    Taxable 7.84%, '24   .....................  Aaa       2,800      2,771,664
                                                                  -------------
Pennsylvania--2.5%
  Pennsylvania Economic Development
    6.75%, '07 (e)    ........................  NR        1,950      2,011,308
  Pennsylvania Economic Development
    9.50%, '12  ..............................  NR        2,500      1,875,000
                                                                  -------------
                                                                     3,886,308
                                                                  -------------
Virginia--0.4%
  Newport News Taxable Series B 7.05%,
    '25   ....................................  Aa          750        704,168
                                                                  -------------
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS
  (Identified cost $13,182,624)   .............................     12,274,500
                                                                  -------------
CONVERTIBLE BONDS--0.7%
Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming--0.7%
  Comcast Corp. Cv. 1.125%, '07   ............  Ba        2,000      1,145,000
                                                                  -------------
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS
  (Identified cost $1,136,677) ................................      1,145,000
                                                                  -------------
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       14
<PAGE>


                        MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                SHARES      VALUE
                                                -------- -------------
<S>                                             <C>      <C>
PREFERRED STOCKS--0.6%
Paper & Forest Products--0.6%
  SD Warren Co. Series B Pfd. PIK 14%   ......   30,000   $    982,051
                                                          -------------
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
  (Identified cost $607,500)   ........................        982,051
                                                          -------------
WARRANTS--0.1%
Paper & Forest Products--0.1%
  SD Warren Co. Warrants 144A (b)(f)    ......   30,000        150,000
                                                          -------------
TOTAL WARRANTS
  (Identified cost $142,500)   ........................        150,000
                                                          -------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--102.0%
  (Identified cost $158,082,302)  .....................    160,826,465
                                                          -------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           STANDARD     PAR
                                           & POOR'S    VALUE
                                            RATING     (000)          VALUE
                                           ---------- -------- -------------------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>      <C>
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--6.3%
Commercial Paper--6.3%
  Cargill, Inc. 6.05%, 7-1-97    .........   A-1+     $  245    $        245,000
  Donnelley (R.R.) & Sons Co. 6.25%,
    7-1-97  ..............................   A-1       1,425           1,425,000
  Mobil Corp. 6.25%, 7-1-97   ............   A-1+      6,195           6,195,000
  Du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.
    5.60%, 7-10-97   .....................   A-1+      1,200           1,198,320
  Heinz (H.J.) Co. 5.55%, 7-14-97   ......   A-1         880             878,236
                                                                -----------------
                                                                       9,941,556
                                                                -----------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS
  (Identified cost $9,941,556) ..............................           9,941,556
                                                                 -----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--108.3%
  (Identified cost $168,023,858)  ...........................         170,768,021(a)
  Cash and receivables, less liabilities--(8.3%)    .........         (13,168,882)
                                                                 -----------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%    .......................................    $    157,599,139
                                                                 =================
</TABLE>





(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $4,735,176 and gross
    depreciation of $1,991,013 for income tax purposes. At June 30, 1997, the
    aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was
    $168,023,858.
(b) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of
    1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from
    registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 1997,
    these securities amounted to a value of $40,434,087 or 25.7% of net
    assets.
(c) As rated by Standard & Poor's, Fitch or Duff & Phelps.
(d) Variable or step coupon bond; interest rate shown reflects the rate
    currently in effect.
(e) Segregated as collateral.
(f) Non-income producing.

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       15
<PAGE>


                        MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Assets
Investment securities at value (Identified cost $168,023,858) ..................... $170,768,021
Receivables
 Investment securities sold  ......................................................    4,921,943
 Interest and dividends   .........................................................    2,567,928
 Fund shares sold   ...............................................................      145,706
                                                                                    -------------
  Total assets   ..................................................................  178,403,598
                                                                                    -------------
Liabilities
Payables
 Custodian    .....................................................................    4,841,501
 Investment securities purchased   ................................................   15,824,047
 Investment advisory fee  .........................................................       57,379
 Financial agent fee   ............................................................        7,683
 Trustees' fee   ..................................................................        3,217
 Accrued expenses   ...............................................................       70,632
                                                                                    -------------
  Total liabilities    ............................................................   20,804,459
                                                                                    -------------
Net Assets    ..................................................................... $157,599,139
                                                                                    =============
Net Assets Consist of:
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest    .............................. $151,962,316
 Undistributed net investment loss    .............................................      (61,088)
 Accumulated net realized gain  ...................................................    2,953,748
 Net unrealized appreciation    ...................................................    2,744,163
                                                                                    -------------
Net Assets    ..................................................................... $157,599,139
                                                                                    =============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization ..   15,281,423
                                                                                    =============
Net asset value and offering price per share   ....................................       $10.31
                                                                                    =============
</TABLE>


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>
Investment Income
 Interest    .........................................................   $6,028,948
 Dividends   .........................................................       46,335
                                                                         ------------
  Total investment income   ..........................................    6,075,283
                                                                         ------------
Expenses
 Investment advisory fee    ..........................................      371,276
 Financial agent fee  ................................................       44,553
 Custodian   .........................................................       32,335
 Printing    .........................................................       20,474
 Professional   ......................................................       11,512
 Trustees    .........................................................        9,872
 Miscellaneous  ......................................................        6,918
                                                                         ------------
  Total expenses   ...................................................      496,940
  Less expenses borne by investment adviser   ........................      (14,282)
                                                                         ------------
  Net expenses  ......................................................      482,658
                                                                         ------------
Net investment income    .............................................    5,592,625
                                                                         ------------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
 Net realized gain on securities  ....................................    2,978,603
 Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions    ...............       15,586
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (1,670,869)
                                                                         ------------
Net gain on investments  .............................................    1,323,320
                                                                         ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   ...............   $6,915,945
                                                                         ============
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       16
<PAGE>


                        MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Six Months
                                                                                             Ended
                                                                                         June 30, 1997        Year Ended
                                                                                          (Unaudited)       December 31, 1996
                                                                                         ----------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>                <C>
From Operations
 Net investment income    ............................................................   $   5,592,625       $    9,460,659
 Net realized gain  ..................................................................       2,994,189            7,367,063
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   ..............................      (1,670,869)          (2,309,914)
                                                                                         --------------      --------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   ..............................       6,915,945           14,517,808
                                                                                         --------------      --------------
From Distributions to Shareholders
 Net investment income    ............................................................      (6,080,467)          (9,238,947)
 Net realized gains    ...............................................................      (1,291,822)          (4,270,844)
                                                                                         --------------      --------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders    ........................      (7,372,289)         (13,509,791)
                                                                                         --------------      --------------
From Share Transactions
 Proceeds from sales of shares (3,866,914 and 6,711,402 shares, respectively)   ......      39,999,436           69,891,527
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions
  (719,971 and 1,316,308 shares, respectively)    ....................................       7,372,289           13,509,791
 Cost of shares repurchased (3,331,755 and 4,670,077 shares, respectively)   .........     (34,360,652)         (48,410,465)
                                                                                         --------------      --------------
 Increase in net assets from share transactions   ....................................      13,011,073           34,990,853
                                                                                         --------------      --------------
 Net increase in net assets  .........................................................      12,554,729           35,998,870
Net Assets
 Beginning of period   ...............................................................     145,044,410          109,045,540
                                                                                         --------------      --------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income (loss) of
  ($61,088) and $426,754, respectively) ..............................................   $ 157,599,139       $  145,044,410
                                                                                         ==============      ==============
</TABLE>


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Six Months
                                                    Ended
                                                   6/30/97
                                                 (Unaudited)
                                               ----------------
<S>                                            <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period    ......  $    10.34
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income   .....................        0.38(1)
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   ...        0.09
                                                ----------
  Total from investment operations   .........        0.47
                                                ----------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income   ......       (0.41)
 Dividends from net realized gains   .........       (0.09)
                                                ----------
  Total distributions    .....................       (0.50)
                                                ----------
Change in net asset value   ..................       (0.03)
                                                ----------
Net asset value, end of period    ............  $    10.31
                                                ==========
Total return    ..............................        4.68%(5)
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   ......  $  157,599
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses   ........................        0.65%(4)
 Net investment income   .....................        7.53%(4)
Portfolio turnover rate  .....................          90%(5)



<CAPTION>
                                               

                                                                             Year Ended December 31,
                                                   1996             1995               1994                1993             1992   
                                               ------------  -----------------  -----------------   -----------------   -----------
<S>                                            <C>           <C>                <C>                 <C>                 <C>        
Net asset value, beginning of period    ......  $  10.22     $      8.98        $     10.27         $      9.58          $   9.33  
Income from investment operations                                                                                                  
 Net investment income   .....................      0.79(1)         0.83(1)(2)         0.72(1)(2)          0.66(1)(2)        0.66(2)
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   ...      0.43            1.22              (1.28)               0.84              0.25  
                                                ---------    -----------        -----------         -----------          --------- 
  Total from investment operations   .........      1.22            2.05              (0.56)               1.50              0.91  
                                                ---------    -----------        -----------         -----------          --------- 
Less distributions                                                                                                                 
 Dividends from net investment income   ......     (0.78)          (0.81)             (0.73)              (0.66)            (0.66) 
 Dividends from net realized gains   .........     (0.32)             --                 --               (0.15)               --  
                                                ---------    -----------        -----------         -----------          --------- 
  Total distributions    .....................     (1.10)          (0.81)             (0.73)              (0.81)            (0.66) 
                                                ---------    -----------        -----------         -----------          --------- 
Change in net asset value   ..................      0.12            1.24              (1.29)               0.69              0.25  
                                                ---------    -----------        -----------         -----------          --------- 
Net asset value, end of period    ............  $  10.34     $     10.22        $      8.98         $     10.27          $   9.58  
                                                =========    ===========        ===========         ===========          ========= 
Total return    ..............................     12.42%          23.54%             (5.47)%             15.90%            10.03% 
Ratios/supplemental data:                                                                                                          
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   ......  $145,044     $   109,046        $    74,686         $    79,393          $ 43,090  
Ratio to average net assets of:                                                                                                    
 Operating expenses   ........................      0.65%           0.65%(3)           0.66%               0.65%             0.50% 
 Net investment income   .....................      7.80%           8.55%              7.62%               6.71%             7.47% 
Portfolio turnover rate  .....................       191%            147%               181%                169%              166% 
                                                                                                                                  

</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of
    $0.001, $0.002, $0.007, $0.006 and $0.005 per share, respectively.
(2) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(3) The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excludes the effect
    of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were included,
    the ratio would not significantly differ.
(4) Annualized
(5) Not annualized

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       17
<PAGE>


                          STRATEGIC ALLOCATION SERIES



INVESTMENT REVIEW

     For the six months ended June 30, 1997, the Fund earned 10.02% compared
with an average return of 10.19% for a peer universe of 477 flexible portfolio
funds, according to Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. All figures assume
reinvestment of dividends and exclude the effect of sales charges.

     As measured by the S&P 500 Stock Index, the equity market continued its
strong performance, ending the first half of the year up 20.53%.* The
combination of moderate economic growth, low inflation, falling interest rates
and high profit growth has been the perfect environment for stocks. As a
result, valuation levels are at historically high levels, and there is little
margin for further improvement in fundamentals. Only continued positive
investor sentiment and ongoing inflows to equity mutual funds are likely to be
able to drive the market to new highs.

     Interest rates appeared to be locked in a narrow trading range over the
last six months as investors debated whether the robust economic growth
reported in the first quarter would serve as a catalyst for higher inflation in
the months ahead. As measured by the 30-year Treasury bond, interest rates
climbed as high as 7.17% in mid-April, but finished June yielding 6.79%--only
0.14% higher than at the start of the reporting period. Higher yielding, lower
quality bonds continued to outperform lower yielding, higher quality bonds.

     The Fund's performance was helped by a relatively high equity allocation
of 68.3%. An underweighting in technology, one of the best performing sectors
in the last three months, limited returns. We are currently overweighted in
large-cap technology, which is benefiting performance. Other positive
contributors include a large position in the health-care sector, primarily
pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The financial services and energy sectors
are also overweighted. The fixed-income segment of the Fund also provided
positive results as emerging-market debt issues were among the best performers,
while more traditional sectors, such as Treasury and investment-grade issues,
were among the laggards.


OUTLOOK

     We expect moderate economic growth, stable to lower interest rates and
continued low inflation. In this environment, we are focusing on companies with
the strongest earnings growth and the best earnings visibility. The Fund's
emphasis will remain on the health-care, technology and financial-services
sectors.

     As we move into the second half of the year, we are confident that our
duration-neutral strategy for the fixed-income portion of the Fund will
insulate it from the effects of a volatile interest rate environment. Our
fixed-income strategy continues to focus on emphasizing the most undervalued
bond sectors.





*The S&P 500 Stock Index is an unmanaged, commonly used measure of total return
stock performance.


                                       18
<PAGE>


                          STRATEGIC ALLOCATION SERIES

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        STANDARD      PAR
                                        & POOR'S     VALUE
                                        RATING       (000)         VALUE
                                        ----------   ---------   -------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>         <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES--11.6%
U.S. Treasury Bonds--0.4%
  U.S. Treasury Bonds 6%, '26 .........   AAA          $ 1,850     $ 1,655,171
                                                                  ------------
U.S. Treasury Notes--11.2%
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6%, '99 .........   AAA           14,050      14,026,396
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.375%, '00   ...   AAA            5,250       5,269,687
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.25%, '02 ......   AAA            6,000       5,964,354
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.50%, '06 ......   AAA            1,000         995,110
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.625%, '07   ...   AAA           17,950      18,095,844
                                                                  ------------
                                                                    44,351,391
                                                                  ------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES
  (Identified cost $45,675,580)  ..............................     46,006,562
                                                                   ------------
NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--4.0%
Asset-Backed Securities--0.5%
  Fleetwood Credit Corp. 96-B,
    A 6.90%, '12  .....................   AAA              841         847,056
  Green Tree Financial Corp. 96-2,
    M1 7.60%, '27 .....................   AA-            1,075       1,083,063
                                                                  ------------
                                                                     1,930,119
                                                                  ------------
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--3.4%
  CS First Boston Mortgage 95-AE1,
    B 7.182%, '27 .....................   AA-            1,350       1,357,385
  First Union Lehman Bros. 97-C1,
    B 7.43%, '29  .....................   Aa(c)            850         867,000
  G.E. Capital Mortgage Services,
    Inc. 96-8, M 7.25%, '26   .........   AA               248         243,038
  Nationslink Funding Corp. 96-1,
    B 7.69%, '05  .....................   AA               450         467,016
  Residential Asset Securitization
    Trust 96-A8, A1 8%, '26   .........   AAA              831         841,590
  Residential Funding Mortgage
    Securities I 96-S1, A11 7.10%,
    '26  ..............................   AAA            1,500       1,461,094
  Residential Funding Mortgage
    Securities I 96-S4, M1 7.25%,
    '26  ..............................   AA               988         965,855
  Resolution Trust Corp. 93-C1,
    B 8.75%, '24  .....................   Aa(c)          1,600       1,597,250
  Resolution Trust Corp. 95-C2,
    B 6.80%, '27  .....................   Aa(c)            869         864,323
  Resolution Trust Corp. 95-2,
    M1 7.15%, '29 .....................   Aa(c)          1,306       1,301,476
  Securitized Asset Sales, Inc. 93-J,
    2B 6.808%, '23   ..................   A                976         925,271
  Structured Asset Securities Corp.
    93-C1, B 6.60%, '24 ...............   A+             1,150       1,100,137
  Structured Asset Securities Corp.
    95-C4, B 7%, '26 ..................   AA             1,650       1,643,812
                                                                  ------------
                                                                    13,635,247
                                                                  ------------
Paper & Forest Products--0.1%
  Buckeye Cellulose Corp. 9.25%,
    '08  ..............................   BB-              350         364,000
                                                                  ------------
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS
  (Identified cost $15,964,239)  ..............................     15,929,366
                                                                   ------------
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES--2.9%
Argentina--0.7%
  Republic of Argentina Discount
    L-GL Euro 6.875%, '23 (e) .........   BB             2,400       2,077,500


                                        STANDARD      PAR
                                        & POOR'S     VALUE
                                        RATING       (000)         VALUE
                                        ----------   ---------   -------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>         <C>
Argentina--continued
  Republic of Argentina Global Bond
    11.375%, '17  .....................   BB           $   200     $   223,050
  Republic of Argentina Par L-GP
    5.50%, '23 (e)   ..................   BB               400         278,000
                                                                  ------------
                                                                     2,578,550
                                                                  ------------
Brazil--0.3%
  Republic of Brazil Discount Z-L
    Euro 6.875%, '24 (e)   ............   BBB-             800         675,000
  Republic of Brazil Par Z-L Euro
    5.25%, '24 (e)   ..................   B(c)           1,000         680,000
                                                                  ------------
                                                                     1,355,000
                                                                  ------------
Colombia--0.9%
  Republic of Colombia Yankee
    7.25%, '04 ........................   BBB-           3,500       3,399,428
                                                                  ------------
Mexico--0.5%
  United Mexican States 144A
    7.875%, '01 (d)(e)  ...............   BBB-             350         350,560
  United Mexican States Euro D
    6.813%, '19 (e)(f)  ...............   BB             1,300       1,209,813
  United Mexican States Series B
    Euro 6.25%, '19  ..................   BB               750         580,781
                                                                  ------------
                                                                     2,141,154
                                                                  ------------
Venezuela--0.5%
  Republic of Venezuela Discount
    6.813%, '20 (e)(f)  ...............   B+               850         752,250
  Republic of Venezuela Par W-A
    6.75%, '20 (f)   ..................   B+             1,600       1,261,000
                                                                  ------------
                                                                     2,013,250
                                                                  ------------
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
 (Identified cost $10,259,743).........                             11,487,382
                                                                  ------------
FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--1.0%
Chile--0.2%
  Compania Sud Amer Vapore
    7.375%, '03   .....................   BBB              140         137,725
  Petropower I Funding Trust 144A
    7.36%, '14 (d)   ..................   BBB              500         475,855
                                                                  ------------
                                                                       613,580
                                                                  ------------
Colombia--0.8%
  Financiera Energ Nacional EMTN
    Euro 9%, '99  .....................   BBB-           3,200       3,348,000
                                                                  ------------
TOTAL FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS
  (Identified cost $3,913,890)   .............................       3,961,580
                                                                  ------------
MUNICIPAL BONDS--2.2%
California--1.2%
  Kern County Pension Obligation
    Taxable 7.26%, '14  ...............   AAA            1,500       1,483,470
  Long Beach Pension Obligation
    Taxable 6.87%, '06  ...............   AAA              840         832,104
  San Bernardino County Obligation
    Revenue Taxable 6.87%, '08   ......   AAA              410         401,074
  San Bernardino County Obligation
    Revenue Taxable 6.94%, '09   ......   AAA            1,110       1,088,999
  Ventura County Pension Taxable
    6.54%, '05 ........................   AAA              975         952,302
                                                                  ------------
                                                                     4,757,949
                                                                  ------------
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       19
<PAGE>


                          STRATEGIC ALLOCATION SERIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     STANDARD     PAR
                                     & POOR'S    VALUE
                                      RATING     (000)       VALUE
                                     ----------  --------  ------------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>       <C>
Florida--1.0%
  Miami Beach Special Obligation
    Taxable 8.60%, '21  ............   AAA         $3,210    $ 3,455,308
  University of Miami Exchangeable
    Revenue Series A Taxable
    7.65%, '20 .....................   AAA            540        538,650
                                                            ------------
                                                               3,993,958
                                                            ------------
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS
 (Identified cost $8,906,733) ...........................      8,751,907
                                                            ------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             SHARES
                                            ---------
<S>                                         <C>         <C>
COMMON STOCKS--64.7%
Aerospace & Defense--1.8%
  United Technologies Corp.  ............      86,100      7,146,300
                                                         -----------
Banks--4.3%
  Bank of New York Co., Inc.    .........      94,000      4,089,000
  BankAmerica Corp.    ..................      96,000      6,198,000
  Nationsbank Corp.    ..................      61,000      3,934,500
  Norwest Corp.  ........................      51,000      2,868,750
                                                         -----------
                                                          17,090,250
                                                         -----------
Beverages--0.8%
  PepsiCo, Inc.  ........................      85,800      3,222,863
                                                         -----------
Chemical--2.4%
  Du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.  ......      56,400      3,546,150
  Monsanto Co.   ........................     135,000      5,813,438
                                                         -----------
                                                           9,359,588
                                                         -----------
Chemical--Specialty--1.0%
  Praxair, Inc.  ........................      72,900      4,082,400
                                                         -----------
Computer Software & Services--2.7%
  BMC Software, Inc. (b)  ...............      60,700      3,361,262
  Fiserv, Inc. (b)  .....................      48,800      2,177,700
  HBO & Co.   ...........................      45,900      3,161,363
  Sungard Data Systems, Inc. (b)   ......      45,200      2,101,800
                                                         -----------
                                                          10,802,125
                                                         -----------
Conglomerates--2.2%
  Tyco International Ltd.    ............     126,700      8,813,569
                                                         -----------
Cosmetics & Soaps--2.6%
  Gillette Co.   ........................      43,400      4,112,150
  Procter & Gamble Co.    ...............      43,700      6,172,625
                                                         -----------
                                                          10,284,775
                                                         -----------
Diversified Financial Services--5.4%
  American Express Co.    ...............      84,100      6,265,450
  Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.  ............      37,500      2,235,937
  T. Rowe Price Associates   ............      66,100      3,412,413
  Travelers Group, Inc.   ...............     153,200      9,661,175
                                                         -----------
                                                          21,574,975
                                                         -----------
Diversified Miscellaneous--1.5%
  Service Corporation International   ...     184,900      6,078,587
                                                         -----------
Electrical Equipment--1.9%
  General Electric Co. ..................     116,400      7,609,650
                                                         -----------
Electronics--5.6%
  Altera Corp. (b)  .....................      71,700      3,620,850
  Intel Corp. ...........................      61,900      8,778,194
  LSI Logic Corp. (b)  ..................      72,500      2,320,000
  Linear Technology Corp. ...............      70,900      3,669,075
  Tektronix, Inc.   .....................      61,800      3,708,000
                                                         -----------
                                                          22,096,119
                                                         -----------
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               SHARES         VALUE
                                               ---------   --------------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>
Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming--2.1%
  Time Warner, Inc.    .....................      90,700     $  4,376,275
  Walt Disney Co.   ........................      47,600        3,819,900
                                                            -------------
                                                                8,196,175
                                                            -------------
Healthcare--Diversified--2.1%
  Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   ...............     101,100        8,189,100
                                                            -------------
Healthcare--Drugs--5.3%
  Amgen, Inc. (b)   ........................     141,600        8,230,500
  Merck & Co., Inc.    .....................      71,600        7,410,600
  Pfizer, Inc.   ...........................      43,900        5,246,050
                                                            -------------
                                                               20,887,150
                                                            -------------
Hospital Management & Services--1.7%
  Health Management Association, Inc.
    Class A (b)  ...........................      97,500        2,778,750
  Oxford Health Plans (b)    ...............      57,500        4,125,625
                                                            -------------
                                                                6,904,375
                                                            -------------
Household Furnishings & Appliances--0.8%
  Newell Companies, Inc.  ..................      82,900        3,284,912
                                                            -------------
Insurance--2.3%
  Allstate Corp.    ........................      55,000        4,015,000
  Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.         60,300        4,989,825
                                                            -------------
                                                                9,004,825
                                                            -------------
Medical Products & Supplies--3.2%
  Abbott Laboratories  .....................      60,400        4,031,700
  Johnson & Johnson    .....................      61,200        3,939,750
  Medtronic, Inc.   ........................      61,100        4,949,100
                                                            -------------
                                                               12,920,550
                                                            -------------
Office & Business Equipment--1.5%
  Compaq Computer Corp. (b)  ...............      59,200        5,875,600
                                                            -------------
Oil--2.0%
  Exxon Corp.    ...........................      65,400        4,022,100
  Texaco, Inc.   ...........................      35,800        3,893,250
                                                            -------------
                                                                7,915,350
                                                            -------------
Oil Service & Equipment--4.3%
  BJ Services Co. (b)  .....................      61,500        3,297,937
  Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (b)    ...      44,300        3,460,937
  Halliburton Co.   ........................      64,800        5,135,400
  Schlumberger Ltd.    .....................      40,100        5,012,500
                                                            -------------
                                                               16,906,774
                                                            -------------
Publishing, Broadcasting, Printing & Cable--2.2%
  Clear Channels Communications, Inc. (b)         73,500        4,520,250
  Tribune Co.    ...........................      92,000        4,421,750
                                                            -------------
                                                                8,942,000
                                                            -------------
Retail--2.8%
  Borders Group, Inc. (b)    ...............     267,800        6,460,675
  TJX Companies, Inc.  .....................     181,600        4,789,700
                                                            -------------
                                                               11,250,375
                                                            -------------
Retail--Drugs--0.5%
  CVS Corp.   ..............................      38,300        1,962,875
                                                            -------------
Tobacco--1.7%
  Philip Morris Companies, Inc.    .........     148,900        6,607,438
                                                            -------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $238,864,025) ........................     257,008,700
                                                            -------------
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       20
<PAGE>


                          STRATEGIC ALLOCATION SERIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                SHARES        VALUE
                                                ---------   -------------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>
FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS--3.6%
Healthcare--Drugs--1.3%
  SmithKline Beecham PLC Sponsored ADR
    (United Kingdom) (b)   ..................      53,900     $  4,938,588
                                                             -------------
Telecommunications Equipment--2.3%
  Oy Nokia Corp. Sponsored ADR (Finland)  ...      57,100        4,211,125
  Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson Class B ADR
    (Sweden)   ..............................     127,700        5,028,187
                                                             -------------
                                                                 9,239,312
                                                             -------------
TOTAL FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $12,626,495)   ........................      14,177,900
                                                             -------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--90.0%
  (Identified cost $336,210,705)  ........................     357,323,397
                                                             -------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     STANDARD      PAR
                                     & POOR'S     VALUE
                                     RATING       (000)            VALUE
                                     ----------   --------   ---------------------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>        <C>
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--4.1%
Commercial Paper--2.1%
  McDonald's Corp. 5.90%, 7-3-97   .  A-1+          $2,700    $      2,699,115
  Enterprise Funding Corp. 5.60%,
    7-10-97    .....................  A-1+             927             925,702
  Receivables Capital Corp. 5.56%,
    7-18-97    .....................  A-1+           2,400           2,393,699
  Receivables Capital Corp. 5.62%,
    8-8-97  ........................  A-1+           2,500           2,485,169
                                                              -----------------
                                                                     8,503,685
                                                              -----------------
Federal Agency Securities--2.0%
  Federal Home Loan Banks 5.25%
    8-8-97 (e)    ..................                 2,500           2,500,975
  Federal Farm Credit Banks 5.35%,
    3-3-98  ........................                 5,500           5,503,905
                                                              -----------------
                                                                     8,004,880
                                                              -----------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS
  (Identified cost $16,503,685) ...........................          16,508,565
                                                               -----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--94.1%
  (Identified cost $352,714,390)   ........................         373,831,962(a)
  Cash and receivables, less liabilities--5.9% ............          23,406,682
                                                               -----------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%  .......................................    $    397,238,644
                                                               =================
</TABLE>

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $24,902,672 and gross
    depreciation of $3,785,100 for income tax purposes. At June 30, 1997, the
    aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was
    $352,714,390.
(b) Non-income producing.
(c) As rated by Moodys, Fitch or Duff & Phelps.
(d) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of
    1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from
    registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30,
    1997, these securities amounted to a value of $826,415 or 0.2% of net
    assets.
(e) Variable or step coupon obligation; interest rate shown reflects the rate
    currently in effect.
(f) Rights incorporated as a unit.

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       21
<PAGE>


                          STRATEGIC ALLOCATION SERIES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Assets
Investment securities at value (Identified cost $352,714,390) ..................... $373,831,962
Cash ..............................................................................        2,788
Receivables
 Investment securities sold  ......................................................   45,174,786
 Interest and dividends   .........................................................    1,107,999
                                                                                    -------------
  Total assets   ..................................................................  420,117,535
                                                                                    -------------
Liabilities
Payables
 Investment securities purchased   ................................................   22,549,181
 Fund shares repurchased  .........................................................       28,073
 Investment advisory fee  .........................................................      188,490
 Financial agent fee   ............................................................       19,442
 Trustees' fee   ..................................................................        3,434
 Accrued expenses   ...............................................................       90,271
                                                                                    -------------
  Total liabilities    ............................................................   22,878,891
                                                                                    -------------
Net Assets    ..................................................................... $397,238,644
                                                                                    =============
Net Assets Consist of:
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest    .............................. $347,662,434
 Undistributed net investment income  .............................................       32,174
 Accumulated net realized gain  ...................................................   28,426,464
 Net unrealized appreciation    ...................................................   21,117,572
                                                                                    -------------
Net Assets    ..................................................................... $397,238,644
                                                                                    =============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization      27,119,096
                                                                                    =============
Net asset value and offering price per share   ....................................       $14.65
                                                                                    =============
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>
Investment Income
 Interest    .........................................................    $ 4,765,493
 Dividends   .........................................................      1,242,330
                                                                          -----------
  Total investment income   ..........................................      6,007,823
                                                                          -----------
Expenses
 Investment advisory fee    ..........................................      1,110,607
 Financial agent fee  ................................................        114,395
 Custodian   .........................................................         30,788
 Printing    .........................................................         28,453
 Professional   ......................................................         13,266
 Trustees    .........................................................          9,872
 Miscellaneous  ......................................................          6,108
                                                                          -----------
  Total expenses   ...................................................      1,313,489
                                                                          -----------
Net investment income    .............................................      4,694,334
                                                                          -----------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
 Net realized gain on securities  ....................................     28,661,807
 Net realized loss on written options   ..............................       (233,706)
 Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions    ...............          5,900
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments        3,696,201
                                                                          -----------
Net gain on investments  .............................................     32,130,202
                                                                          -----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   ...............    $36,824,536
                                                                          ===========
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       22
<PAGE>


                          STRATEGIC ALLOCATION SERIES

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Six Months
                                                                                     Ended
                                                                                  June 30, 1997       Year Ended
                                                                                  (Unaudited)       December 31, 1996
                                                                                  ---------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>               <C>
From Operations
 Net investment income   ......................................................   $  4,694,334        $   8,315,276
 Net realized gain    .........................................................     28,434,001           25,851,907
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  ........................      3,696,201           (2,475,007)
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  ........................     36,824,536           31,692,176
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
From Distributions to Shareholders
 Net investment income   ......................................................     (5,077,025)          (7,996,685)
 Net realized gains   .........................................................     (4,639,522)         (23,234,158)
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders   ..................     (9,716,547)         (31,230,843)
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
From Share Transactions
 Proceeds from sales of shares (1,669,983 and 4,387,120 shares, respectively)       23,786,173           61,269,234
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions
  (670,617 and 2,254,196 shares, respectively)   ..............................      9,716,547           31,230,843
 Cost of shares repurchased (2,639,102 and 5,175,253 shares, respectively)  ...    (37,615,740)         (72,555,884)
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
 Increase (decrease) in net assets from share transactions   ..................     (4,113,020)          19,944,193
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
 Net increase in net assets    ................................................     22,994,969           20,405,526
Net Assets
 Beginning of period  .........................................................    374,243,675          353,838,149
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $32,174
  and $414,865, respectively)  ................................................   $397,238,644        $ 374,243,675
                                                                                  =============       =============
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Six Months
                                                       Ended
                                                      6/30/97
                                                    (Unaudited)
                                                  ----------------
<S>                                               <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period    ......... $     13.65
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income   ........................        0.18
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   ......        1.18
                                                  -----------
  Total from investment operations   ............        1.36
                                                  -----------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income   .........       (0.19)
 Dividends from net realized gains   ............       (0.17)
                                                  -----------
  Total distributions    ........................       (0.36)
                                                  -----------
Change in net asset value   .....................        1.00
                                                  -----------
Net asset value, end of period    ............... $     14.65
                                                  ===========
Total return    .................................       10.02%(6)
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   ......... $   397,239
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses   ...........................        0.69%(5)
 Net investment income   ........................        2.46%(5)
Portfolio turnover rate  ........................         252%(6)
Average commission rate paid(4)   ............... $    0.0554



<CAPTION>
                                                                              Year Ended December 31,
                                                     1996          1995               1994              1993           1992
                                                  ----------- ---------------- -------------------  -------------- --------------
<S>                                               <C>         <C>              <C>                  <C>            <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period    ......... $  13.63     $   12.68       $    13.71           $    12.86      $   12.97
Income from investment operations 
 Net investment income   ........................     0.32          0.45             0.36(1)(3)           0.23(3)        0.37(3)
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   ......     0.91          1.84            (0.56)                1.17           0.99
                                                  ---------    ---------       -----------           ----------     ----------
  Total from investment operations   ............     1.23          2.29            (0.20)                1.40           1.36
                                                  ---------    ---------       -----------           ----------     ----------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income   .........    (0.31)        (0.45)           (0.37)               (0.23)         (0.37)
 Dividends from net realized gains   ............    (0.90)        (0.89)           (0.46)               (0.32)         (1.10)
                                                  ---------    ---------       -----------           ----------     ----------
  Total distributions    ........................    (1.21)        (1.34)           (0.83)               (0.55)         (1.47)
                                                  ---------    ---------       -----------           ----------     ----------
Change in net asset value   .....................     0.02          0.95            (1.03)                0.85          (0.11)
                                                  ---------    ---------       -----------           ----------     ----------
Net asset value, end of period    ............... $  13.65     $   13.63       $    12.68            $   13.71      $   12.86
                                                  =========    =========       ===========           ==========     ==========
Total return    .................................     9.05%        18.22%           (1.45)%              11.02%         10.67%
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   ......... $ 374,244    $ 353,838       $  289,083            $ 256,011      $ 163,628
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses   ...........................     0.70%         0.67%(2)         0.74%                0.74%          0.50%
 Net investment income   ........................     2.26%         3.28%            2.71%                1.82%          2.90%
Portfolio turnover rate  ........................      287%          170%             220%                 269%           326%
Average commission rate paid(4)   ............... $ 0.0530           N/A              N/A                  N/A            N/A
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of
    $0.001 per share.
(2) The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excludes the effect
    of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were included,
    the ratio would not significantly differ.
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(4) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal
    basis.
(5) Annualized
(6) Not annualized

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       23
<PAGE>


                              INTERNATIONAL SERIES

INVESTMENT REVIEW

     The Fund rose 13.31% for the six months ended June 30, 1997 compared with
a 12.70% return for a peer universe of 442 international funds, according to
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. The EAFE Index* was up 11.21%. All performance
figures are stated in U.S. dollars, assume reinvestment of dividends and
exclude the effect of sales charges. The MSCI total return figures are net of
foreign withholding taxes.

     The Fund performed well largely because of its slightly overweighted
position in Europe and good stock selection in those same markets, as well as
its underweighted position in Japan. During May, performance was hampered
somewhat by this underweighting in Japan as that market returned 11.04%, with
the yen up 9.00% for the month. An overweighted position in the UK, which
lagged the rest of Europe, also held back performance.

     Over the last six months, the European and Latin American markets have
performed strongly, in some cases even outpacing the United States. Europe has
continued to be supported by low and falling interest rates, particularly in
the peripheral countries. Latin America rose 40.79% in the last six months,
with every country participating in the rally. Brazil and Venezuela led the way
as economic reform and deregulation continued to push slowly forward. Peru,
Mexico and Argentina were boosted by signs of improving economic conditions.

     The Pacific Basin produced a more uneven performance. Japan, the largest
market in the region gained 9.07%, while Malaysia lost 11.74%. In the rest of
Asia, only Taiwan and India turned in strong returns. The Thai market has
fallen 33.73%. Hong Kong and Japan experienced an extremely strong last three
months in which Hong Kong rose 20.34% and Japan was up 23.67%.


OUTLOOK

     Continued efforts at fiscal restraint on the part of most European
governments is creating a climate of low interest rates and inflation, which is
supporting stock prices. The onus continues to be on companies to generate
earnings growth through internal means, as demand remains relatively sluggish
and pricing ability nonexistent. In Japan, the outlook for 1997 is also modest,
but better than was expected six months ago. We have raised our weighting in
Japan slightly, but would need a substantial improvement in the outlook for
earnings growth to become more positive.

     Since our last report, we have reduced our holdings in Hong Kong based on
a potential clamp down on real estate property prices. We redeployed about 9%
of our cash position into Korea and the Philippines. Although Latin America
regions have posted strong gains in the last six months, they are coming off
very low bases and are still relatively inexpensive to the rest of the world.
We are still positive on the outlook for the region for the remainder of the
year.












* The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) EAFE Index is an
  unmanaged, commonly used measure of total return foreign stock performance.



                                       24
<PAGE>


                             INTERNATIONAL SERIES

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        SHARES              VALUE
                                                       -----------   -----------------------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>
FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS--92.8%
Australia--0.5%
  Westpac Bank Corp. Ltd. (Diversified
    Financial Services)  ...........................       176,000         $ 1,050,884
                                                                           ------------
Belgium--1.0%
  Credit Communal Holding/Dexia (Banks) ............        19,300           2,074,951
                                                                           ------------
Brazil--2.4%
  Telebras Sponsored ADR (Utility--Telephone) ......        21,500           3,262,625
  Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA Sponsored
    GDR (Banks) ....................................        43,000           1,596,375
                                                                           ------------
                                                                             4,859,000
                                                                           ------------
Chile--1.0%
  Santa Isabel SA Sponsored ADR (Retail--
    Food) ..........................................        64,000           2,064,000
                                                                           ------------
Finland--2.9%
  Nokia AB Series A (Telecommunications
    Equipment)  ....................................        31,800           2,374,806
  Raision Tehtaat Oy (Food) ........................        23,000           1,580,802
  The Rauma Group (Machinery)  .....................        85,000           1,947,364
                                                                           ------------
                                                                             5,902,972
                                                                           ------------
France--7.2%
  AXA-UAP (Insurance) ..............................        33,369           2,077,428
  Carrefour Supermarche (Retail--Food)  ............         3,020           2,195,466
  Elf Aquitaine SA (Oil) ...........................        19,600           2,116,609
  Louis Dreyfus Citrus (Food) (b) ..................        42,500           1,588,981
  Promodes (Retail)   ..............................         6,200           2,417,312
  Total SA (Oil)   .................................        21,400           2,165,188
  Usinor Sacilor (Steel) ...........................       120,000           2,166,618
                                                                           ------------
                                                                            14,727,602
                                                                           ------------
Germany--4.8%
  Adidas AG (Textile & Apparel)   ..................        20,350           2,253,974
  BHW Holding AG (Banks) (b)   .....................       120,000           2,031,564
  Rhoen-Klinikum AG (Hospital Management &
    Services)   ....................................        15,850           2,028,436
  Schmalbach Lubeca AG (Containers)  ...............         8,100           1,817,561
  VEBA AG (Utility--Electric)  .....................        28,400           1,597,245
                                                                           ------------
                                                                             9,728,780
                                                                           ------------
Hong Kong--0.0%
  Henderson China Holding Ltd. (Real Estate)  ......           828               1,395
                                                                           ------------
Hungary--0.6%
  Gedeon Richter 144A GDS (Health Care--
    Drugs) (c)  ....................................        12,700           1,170,214
                                                                           ------------
Indonesia--0.1%
  Wicaksana Overseas International
    (Conglomerates)   ..............................       248,500             304,046
                                                                           ------------
Italy--5.3%
  Gucci Group NV (Textile & Apparel) ...............        20,600           1,345,787
  Gucci Group NV-NY Registered Shares
    (Textile & Apparel)  ...........................        32,500           2,092,188
  Istituto Bancario San Paolo di Torino (Banks) ....       203,223           1,479,831
  Stet-Societa' Finanziaria Telefonica SPA
    (Utility--Telephone) ...........................     1,020,000           5,934,763
                                                                           ------------
                                                                            10,852,569
                                                                           ------------
Japan--14.4%
  Canon, Inc. (Office & Business Equipment)   ......       124,000           3,380,932
  Circle K Japan Co. Ltd. (Retail--Food)   .........        30,000           1,725,072


                                                        SHARES              VALUE
                                                       -----------   -----------------------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>
Japan--continued
  Credit Saison Co. Ltd. (Diversified Financial
    Services)   ....................................        95,400         $ 2,334,353
  DDI Corp. (Utility--Telephone)  ..................           175           1,293,804
  Hoya Corp. (Machinery) ...........................        21,000             935,943
  Matsushita Communication Industrial
    (Telecommunications Equipment)   ...............        54,000           1,826,269
  Meitec (Computer Software & Services) ............        64,000           1,907,192
  Namco (Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming)  .........        44,000           1,699,554
  Nintendo Co. Ltd. (Entertainment, Leisure &
    Gaming)  .......................................        18,000           1,510,093
  Nippon Broadcasting System (Publishing,
    Broadcasting, Printing & Cable)  ...............        21,000           2,330,683
  Paris Miki, Inc. (Retail) ........................        55,000           1,619,768
  Sankyo Co. Ltd. (Health Care--Diversified)  ......        52,000           1,749,541
  TDK Corp. (Electronics)   ........................        14,000           1,028,926
  Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. (Health Care--
    Drugs)   .......................................        56,000           1,512,191
  Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd. (Electrical Equipment) ......       114,000           1,882,898
  Takeda Chemical Industries (Health Care--
    Drugs)   .......................................        91,000           2,560,692
                                                                           ------------
                                                                            29,297,911
                                                                           ------------
Mexico--1.3%
  Coca-Cola Femsa SA Sponsored ADR
    (Beverages) ....................................        50,000           2,581,250
                                                                           ------------
Netherlands--4.9%
  DSM NV (Chemical)   ..............................        20,000           1,993,569
  ING Groep NV (Diversified Financial
    Services)   ....................................        46,000           2,124,739
  Philips Electronics NV (Electronics)  ............        56,000           4,018,578
  VNU-Verenigde Bezit (Publishing,
    Broadcasting, Printing & Cable)  ...............        85,800           1,900,536
                                                                           ------------
                                                                            10,037,422
                                                                           ------------
New Zealand--0.2%
  Restaurant Brands New Zealand Limited
    (Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming) (b)  .........       245,000             425,076
                                                                           ------------
Norway--1.6%
  Schibsted ASA (Publishing, Broadcasting,
    Printing & Cable) ..............................        97,000           1,921,264
  Smedvig ASA A Shares (Oil)   .....................        54,500           1,362,370
                                                                           ------------
                                                                             3,283,634
                                                                           ------------
Peru--0.9%
  Telefonica del Peru SA (Utility--Telephone) ......       708,945           1,862,902
                                                                           ------------
Philippines--3.6%
  Ayala Land, Inc. Class B (Real Estate)   .........     2,747,000           2,525,582
  Manila Electric Co. (Utility--Electric)  .........       225,000           1,108,963
  Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Banks) ............        23,000             488,323
  Philippine Commercial International Bank
    (Banks)  .......................................       101,000             976,456
  SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (Real Estate) ............     4,112,000           1,216,014
  San Miguel Corp. Class B (Beverages)  ............       398,000           1,048,718
                                                                           ------------
                                                                             7,364,056
                                                                           ------------
Poland--0.1%
  Bank Handlowy W. Warszawie (Banks) (b)   .........        10,000             115,331
                                                                           ------------
Portugal--2.3%
  Electricidade De Portugal SA (Utility--
    Electric)   ....................................        37,365             686,552
  Portugal Telecom SA (Utility--Telephone) .........        45,700           1,845,782
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       25
<PAGE>


                             INTERNATIONAL SERIES




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       SHARES          VALUE
                                                       -----------   -------------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>
Portugal--continued
  Telecel-Comunicacoes Pessoais SA
    (Telecommunications Equipment) (b)  ............        26,700     $  2,217,532
                                                                      -------------
                                                                          4,749,866
                                                                      -------------
South Korea--10.0%
  Daewoo Securities Co. (Broker-Dealers) (b)  ......       188,600        3,419,435
  Daewoo Telecom Co. (Telecommunications
    Equipment)  ....................................        99,000          963,243
  Dongsuh Securities Co. (Broker-Dealers) (b) ......       142,200        1,305,100
  Hyundai Electronics Industries Co.
    (Electronics)  .................................        12,600          645,608
  Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co.
    (Insurance) (b)   ..............................        39,800        1,609,030
  Hyundai Securities Co. (Diversified Financial
    Services) (b)  .................................       121,400        1,845,607
  L.G. Electronics (Electronics)  ..................        94,800        1,761,485
  L.G. Information & Communication Ltd.
    (Telecommunications Equipment)   ...............        23,800        2,948,196
  L.G. Securities (Diversified Financial Services)
    (b)   ..........................................       163,200        1,984,864
  Oriental Fire & Marine Insurance (Insurance) .....        59,200        1,493,332
  Samsung Electronics Co. (Electronics) ............        11,344        1,278,882
  Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance
    (Insurance) ....................................           630          238,804
  Sungmi Telecom Electronics Co.
    (Telecommunications Equipment)   ...............         6,860          909,258
                                                                      -------------
                                                                         20,402,844
                                                                      -------------
Spain--0.8%
  Telefonica de Espana (Utility--Telephone)   ......        54,200        1,569,946
                                                                      -------------
Sweden--1.6%
  Astra AB A Shares (Health Care--Drugs)   .........       117,000        2,178,912
  Biora AB (Medical Products & Supplies) (b)  ......        50,000          465,580
  Biora AB Sponsored ADR (Medical Products
    & Supplies) (b)   ..............................        19,000          339,625
  Hemkopskedjan AB B Shares (Retail--Food)  ........        37,000          380,417
                                                                      -------------
                                                                          3,364,534
                                                                      -------------
Switzerland--5.6%
  Ares-Serono Group Bearer Shares (Health
    Care--Drugs)   .................................         1,890        2,742,043
  Novartis AG Registered Shares (Health
    Care--Drugs)   .................................         2,080        3,330,169
  Sig Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft
    Holding AG Bearer Shares (Machinery)   .........           610        1,851,591
  Sig Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft
    Holding AG Registered Shares
    (Machinery) ....................................           200          297,709
  Zurich Verschierungs Registered Shares
    (Insurance) ....................................         8,300        3,307,930
                                                                      -------------
                                                                         11,529,442
                                                                      -------------
United Kingdom--19.7%
  Avis Europe PLC (Leasing/Rental) (b)  ............       970,000        2,203,812
  British Aerospace PLC (Aerospace &
    Defense) .......................................       155,500        3,459,150
  Carlton Communications PLC (Publishing,
    Broadcasting, Printing & Cable)  ...............       208,000        1,756,991
  Celltech PLC (Health Care--Drugs) (b) ............       178,000          795,489


                                                       SHARES          VALUE
                                                       -----------   -------------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>
United Kingdom--continued
  Compass Group PLC (Lodging &
    Restaurants)   .................................       304,000     $  3,410,386
  Cordiant PLC (Professional Services)  ............     1,646,000        3,383,505
  Corporate Services Group PLC (Professional
    Services)   ....................................       580,900        1,822,564
  GKN PLC (Miscellaneous)   ........................       117,000        2,014,589
  Granada Group PLC (Entertainment, Leisure
    & Gaming)   ....................................       143,000        1,880,326
  Lloyds TSB Group PLC (Diversified Financial
    Services)   ....................................       255,000        2,614,514
  Next PLC (Retail)   ..............................       154,000        1,739,165
  Norwich Union PLC 144A (Insurance) (b)(c)   ......       190,000        1,010,403
  Rentokil Initial PLC (Professional Services)   ...       544,000        1,910,519
  Rolls-Royce PLC (Aerospace & Defense) ............       410,000        1,566,162
  Shell Transport & Trading Co. PLC (Oil)  .........       459,000        3,128,504
  Siebe PLC (Electrical Equipment)   ...............       156,000        2,640,679
  WPP Group PLC (Advertising)  .....................       876,000        3,594,108
  Williams PLC (Professional Services)  ............       239,100        1,285,441
                                                                      -------------
                                                                         40,216,307
                                                                      -------------
TOTAL FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $159,115,011)  ..................                    189,536,934
                                                                      -------------
PREFERRED STOCKS--2.4%
Germany--1.5%
  Volkswagen AG Pfd. (Autos & Trucks)   ............         5,500        3,093,257
                                                                      -------------
United Kingdom--0.9%
  Egypt Investment Co. (Multi-Industry) (b)   ......       119,000        1,755,250
                                                                      -------------
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
  (Identified cost $3,398,922) .....................                      4,848,507
                                                                      -------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--95.2%
  (Identified cost $162,513,933)  ..................                    194,385,441
                                                                      -------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    STANDARD     PAR
                                    & POOR'S    VALUE
                                     RATING     (000)
                                    ---------- --------
<S>                                 <C>        <C>      <C>
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--5.1%
Commercial Paper--3.2%
  Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. 6%,
    7-1-97 ........................   A-1+       $3,500         3,500,000
  Albertson's, Inc. 5.52%, 8-15-97     A-1        3,000         2,979,300
                                                         -----------------
                                                                6,479,300
                                                         -----------------
Federal Agency Securities--1.9%
  Federal Home Loan Banks 5.42%,
    7-2-97    .....................               1,605         1,604,758
  Federal National Mortgage Assoc.
    5.47%, 7-3-97   ...............                 335           334,949
  Federal National Mortgage Assoc.
    5.45%, 7-30-97  ...............               2,025         2,016,110
                                                         -----------------
                                                                3,955,817
                                                         -----------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS
  (Identified cost $10,435,117)  .....................         10,435,117
                                                         -----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--100.3% 
  (Identified cost $172,949,050) .....................        204,820,558(a)
  Cash and receivables, less liabilities--(0.3%)   ...           (688,039)
                                                         -----------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%   .................................   $    204,132,519
                                                         =================
</TABLE>

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $35,432,190 and gross
    depreciation of $3,708,682 for income tax purposes. At June 30, 1997, the
    aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was
    $173,097,050.
(b) Non-income producing.
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of
    1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from
    registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30,
    1997, these securities amounted to a value of $2,180,617 or 1.1% of net
    assets.


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       26
<PAGE>


                             INTERNATIONAL SERIES

                            INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION
                       As a Percentage of Total Value of
                          Total Long-Term Investments
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
Advertising    ....................................       1.9%
Aerospace & Defense  ..............................       2.6
Autos & Trucks    .................................       1.6
Banks    ..........................................       4.5
Beverages   .......................................       1.9
Broker-Dealers ....................................       2.4
Chemical ..........................................       1.0
Computer Software & Services  .....................       1.0
Conglomerates  ....................................       0.2
Containers  .......................................       0.9
Diversified Financial Services   ..................       6.2
Electrical Equipment    ...........................       2.3
Electronics    ....................................       4.5
Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming  ..................       2.8
Food  .............................................       1.6
Health Care--Diversified   ........................       0.9
Health Care--Drugs   ..............................       7.4
Hospital Management & Services   ..................       1.0
Insurance   .......................................       5.0
Leasing/Rental ....................................       1.1
Lodging & Restaurants   ...........................       1.8
Machinery   .......................................       2.6
Medical Products & Supplies   .....................       0.4
Miscellaneous  ....................................       1.0
Multi-Industry    .................................       0.9
Office & Business Equipment   .....................       1.7
Oil   .............................................       4.5
Professional Services   ...........................       4.3
Publishing, Broadcasting, Printing & Cable   ......       4.1
Real Estate .......................................       1.9
Retail   ..........................................       3.0
Retail--Food   ....................................       3.3
Steel    ..........................................       1.1
Telecommunications Equipment  .....................       5.8
Textile & Apparel    ..............................       2.9
Utility--Electric    ..............................       1.8
Utility--Telephone   ..............................       8.1
                                                       ------
                                                        100.0%
                                                       ======
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       27
<PAGE>


                              INTERNATIONAL SERIES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Assets
Investment securities at value (Identified cost $172,949,050)  ..................   $204,820,558
Receivables
 Dividends and interest    ......................................................        411,897
 Investment securities sold   ...................................................        123,076
 Fund shares sold ...............................................................        118,461
 Tax reclaim   ..................................................................         82,594
 Net unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts  .....................        199,127
                                                                                    -------------
  Total assets    ...............................................................    205,755,713
                                                                                    -------------
Liabilities
Payables
 Custodian  .....................................................................          5,433
 Investment securities purchased    .............................................        108,100
 Closed foreign currency contracts  .............................................      1,276,245
 Investment advisory fee   ......................................................        123,664
 Custodian fee ..................................................................         27,404
 Financial agent fee    .........................................................          9,443
 Trustees' fee    ...............................................................          3,405
 Accrued expenses    ............................................................         69,500
                                                                                    -------------
  Total liabilities  ............................................................      1,623,194
                                                                                    -------------
Net Assets  .....................................................................   $204,132,519
                                                                                    =============
Net Assets Consist of:
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest  ..............................   $156,743,742
 Undistributed net investment income   ..........................................        198,102
 Accumulated net realized gain   ................................................     15,121,327
 Net unrealized appreciation  ...................................................     32,069,348
                                                                                    -------------
Net Assets  .....................................................................   $204,132,519
                                                                                    =============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization      12,885,617
                                                                                    =============
Net asset value and offering price per share    .................................         $15.84
                                                                                    =============
</TABLE>


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                          <C>
Investment Income
 Dividends  ..............................................................................    $ 1,755,856
 Interest   ..............................................................................        734,056
 Foreign taxes withheld    ...............................................................       (179,254)
                                                                                              -----------
  Total investment income  ...............................................................      2,310,658
                                                                                              -----------
Expenses
 Investment advisory fee   ...............................................................        684,297
 Financial agent fee    ..................................................................         54,744
 Custodian  ..............................................................................         76,300
 Printing   ..............................................................................         20,377
 Trustees   ..............................................................................         11,586
 Professional  ...........................................................................         11,013
 Miscellaneous    ........................................................................          6,000
                                                                                              -----------
  Total expenses  ........................................................................        864,317
                                                                                              -----------
Net investment income   ..................................................................      1,446,341
                                                                                              -----------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
 Net realized gain on securities    ......................................................     13,092,441
 Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions   ....................................      2,044,781
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments    ..................      7,878,138
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency and foreign  ...       (874,916)
                                                                                              -----------
  currency transactions
Net gain on investments    ...............................................................     22,140,444
                                                                                              -----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  ....................................    $23,586,785
                                                                                              ===========
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       28
<PAGE>


                              INTERNATIONAL SERIES


STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Six Months
                                                                                               Ended
                                                                                           June 30, 1997      Year Ended
                                                                                            (Unaudited)    December 31, 1996
                                                                                           --------------- ------------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>             <C>
From Operations
 Net investment income  .................................................................. $  1,446,341      $   1,238,905
 Net realized gain   .....................................................................   15,137,222         12,048,984
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    .................................    7,003,222         13,071,593
                                                                                           -------------     -------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations    .................................   23,586,785         26,359,482
                                                                                           -------------     -------------
From Distributions to Shareholders
 Net investment income  ..................................................................   (2,638,818)        (2,156,537)
 Net realized gains  .....................................................................   (4,630,792)        (3,811,548)
 In excess of net investment income ......................................................           --           (272,380)
                                                                                           -------------     -------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders  ..............................   (7,269,610)        (6,240,465)
                                                                                           -------------     -------------
From Share Transactions
 Proceeds from sales of shares (1,804,932 and 3,516,722 shares, respectively)    .........   27,120,194         48,544,295
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions (468,431 and 435,075
  shares, respectively)    ...............................................................    7,269,610          6,240,465
 Cost of shares repurchased (1,282,726 and 2,645,302 shares, respectively)    ............  (19,242,115)       (36,690,696)
                                                                                           -------------     -------------
 Increase in net assets from share transactions    .......................................   15,147,689         18,094,064
                                                                                           -------------     -------------
 Net increase in net assets   ............................................................   31,464,864         38,213,081
Net Assets
 Beginning of period    ..................................................................  172,667,655        134,454,574
                                                                                           -------------     -------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $198,102 and
  $1,390,579, respectively)   ............................................................ $204,132,519      $ 172,667,655
                                                                                           =============     =============
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Selected data for a share outstanding through the indicated period)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Six Months
                                                      Ended
                                                     6/30/97
                                                   (Unaudited)
                                                 ----------------
<S>                                              <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period   ......... $     14.52
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income  ........................        0.12
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  ......        1.79
                                                 -----------
  Total from investment operations  ............        1.91
                                                 -----------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income  .........       (0.22)
 Dividends from net realized gains  ............       (0.37)
 In excess of net investment income    .........          --
                                                 -----------
  Total distributions   ........................       (0.59)
                                                 -----------
Change in net asset value  .....................        1.32
                                                 -----------
Net asset value, end of period   ............... $     15.84
                                                 ===========
Total return   .................................       13.31%(5)
Ratio/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)  ......... $   204,133
Ratio to average of net assets of:
 Operating expenses  ...........................        0.95%(4)
 Net investment income  ........................        1.59%(4)
Portfolio turnover rate ........................          78%(5)
Average commission rate paid(2)  ............... $    0.0125



<CAPTION>
                                                                             Year Ended December 31,
                                                     1996           1995           1994              1993              1992
                                                 -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------------   --------------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>                 <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period   .........  $  12.70       $  11.85       $  12.21      $      8.82         $   10.17
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income  ........................      0.11(3)        0.12(3)        0.08(3)          0.07(1)(3)        0.09(3)
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  ......      2.25           1.02          (0.07)            3.32             (1.40)
                                                  ---------      ---------      ---------     -----------          -----------
  Total from investment operations  ............      2.36           1.14           0.01             3.39             (1.31)
                                                  ---------      ---------      ---------     -----------          -----------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income  .........     (0.19)         (0.04)         (0.03)              --             (0.04)
 Dividends from net realized gains  ............     (0.33)         (0.25)         (0.34)              --                --
 In excess of net investment income    .........     (0.02)            --             --               --                --
                                                  ---------      ---------      ---------     -----------          -----------
  Total distributions   ........................     (0.54)         (0.29)         (0.37)              --             (0.04)
                                                  ---------      ---------      ---------     -----------          -----------
Change in net asset value  .....................      1.82           0.85          (0.36)            3.39             (1.35)
                                                  ---------      ---------      ---------     -----------          -----------
Net asset value, end of period   ...............  $  14.52       $  12.70       $  11.85      $     12.21          $   8.82
                                                  =========      =========      =========     ===========          ===========
Total return   .................................     18.65%          9.59%          0.03%           38.44%           (12.89)%
Ratio/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)  .........  $172,668       $134,455       $134,627      $    61,242          $ 13,772
Ratio to average of net assets of:
 Operating expenses  ...........................      1.04%          1.07%          1.10%            1.15%             1.50%
 Net investment income  ........................      0.80%          0.95%          0.64%            0.49%             1.13%
Portfolio turnover rate ........................       142%           249%           172%             193%               74%
Average commission rate paid(2)  ...............  $ 0.0213          N/A            N/A              N/A                N/A
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of
    $0.05.
(2) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal
    basis.
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(4) Annualized
(5) Not annualized

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       29
<PAGE>


                                BALANCED SERIES

INVESTMENT REVIEW

     For the six months ended June 30, 1997, the Phoenix Edge Balanced Series
posted a solid gain of 9.77% compared with an average return of 9.57% for a
peer universe of 232 balanced funds, according to Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. The benchmark index* returned 12.43%. All performance figures assume
reinvestment of dividends and exclude the effect of sales charges.

     Despite a sharp sell-off from mid-March through mid-April, the U.S.
equities market continued to climb to record highs during this latest reporting
period. By the end of June, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached 7673,
rising 1225 points in the last six months. Blue-chip stocks continued to
significantly outperform small- and mid-cap stocks, and health-care and finance
issues led the market in terms of sector performance. The S&P 500's 20.53%
year-to-date return is the fourth strongest first-half gain over the past 50
years.

     Interest rates appeared to be locked in a narrow trading range over the
last six months as investors debated whether the robust economic growth
reported in the first quarter would serve as a catalyst for higher inflation in
the months ahead. As measured by the 30-year Treasury bond, interest rates
climbed as high as 7.17% in mid-April, but finished June yielding 6.79%--only
0.14% higher than at the start of the reporting period. Higher yielding, lower
quality bonds continued to outperform lower yielding, higher quality bonds.
Emerging-market debt and domestic high-yield bonds were the best performers,
while Treasury and investment grade issues were among the laggards. As measured
by the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, the fixed-income market returned
3.09% over the last six months.

     Over this latest reporting period, the Fund benefited from strong stock
selection in the consumer staples and financial services sectors as well as our
decision to increase the portfolio's equity exposure after the stock market
correction in mid-April. Individual stocks that produced strong gains for the
Fund included General Electric, Eli Lilly, Colgate-Palmolive, Perkin Elmer and
Franklin Resources. The fixed-income segment of the portfolio also boosted
results as it outperformed its benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond
Index. With interest rates moving downward since mid-April, our purchase of
U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds proved to be very profitable. Negative
contributors to overall results included the relative underperformance of our
technology and energy exposures, and to a lesser degree, some individual
stocks, most notably U.S. Filter, Ascend, Amgen and Cardinal Health.


OUTLOOK

     Looking ahead, we expect a slower domestic economy in the second half of
the year and continued market leadership from blue-chip growth stocks. Although
many blue-chip stocks have had a strong run as of late, we believe there is
still upside potential as investors remain focused on earnings growth, earnings
stability, global opportunities and liquidity. Given this outlook, we continue
to emphasize the financial, technology and health-care sectors.

     Within the portfolio's fixed-income holdings, we are maintaining a longer
duration with the expectation that interest rates will continue to move
downward during the year. In addition, we reduced the portfolio's exposure to
emerging-market, high-yield debt. While this sector has provided excellent
returns year-to-date, valuation levels currently look rich from a historical
perspective. Besides these modest adjustments, our fixed-income strategy of
broad diversification and sector rotation remains unchanged. As of June 30, the
bond segment of the portfolio had an average credit quality of "AA" and a
duration of approximately 7.1 years. At the end of the period, the Fund was
positioned with an asset allocation of 55% equities, 35% fixed-income and 10%
cash equivalents.











* The Balanced Benchmark is a composite index consisting of 55% Standard &
  Poor's 500 Index, 35% Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index and 10% 90-day
  Treasury bills.



                                       30
<PAGE>


                                BALANCED SERIES

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              STANDARD      PAR
                                              & POOR'S     VALUE
                                               RATING      (000)        VALUE
                                              ----------  ---------  -------------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>        <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES--24.3%
U.S. Treasury Bonds--4.8%
  U.S. Treasury Bonds Strip, P.O.,
    0%, '22 .................................   AAA         $36,000    $ 6,329,160
  U.S. Treasury Bonds 6%, '26 ...............   AAA           4,595      4,111,087
                                                                      ------------
                                                                        10,440,247
                                                                      ------------
U.S. Treasury Notes--15.0%
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.375%, '99   .........   AAA           3,775      3,793,875
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.375%, '00   .........   AAA           3,000      3,011,250
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.875%, '00   .........   AAA           3,500      3,555,685
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.625%, '01   .........   AAA           4,400      4,444,000
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.50%, '05 ............   AAA           3,300      3,289,407
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.50%, '06 ............   AAA          12,235     12,175,171
  U.S. Treasury Notes 6.875%, '06   .........   AAA           2,150      2,194,343
                                                                      ------------
                                                                        32,463,731
                                                                      ------------
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--4.5%
  GNMA 6.50%, '23-'26   .....................   AAA          10,151      9,744,192
                                                                      ------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES
  (Identified cost $52,849,408)....................................      52,648,170
                                                                       ------------
NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--5.0%
Asset-Backed Securities--0.7%
  Fleetwood Credit Corp. 96-B, A
    6.90%, '12 ..............................   AAA             673        677,645
  Green Tree Financial Corp. 96-2,
    M1 7.60%, '27 ...........................   AA-             675        680,063
  TLFC Equipment Lease Trust
    96-1A, 5.98%, '02   .....................   AAA             225        224,134
                                                                      ------------
                                                                         1,581,842
                                                                      ------------
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--3.8%
  CS First Boston Mortgage
    95-AEW1, B 7.182%, '27 ..................   AA-             425        427,325
  DLJ Mortgage Acceptance Corp.
    96-CF1, A1B 144A 7.58%,
    '28 (c) .................................   AAA             400        414,250
  First Union Lehman Brothers
    97-C1, B 7.43%, '29 .....................   Aa(d)           930        948,600
  G.E. Capital Mortgage Services,
    Inc. 96-8, M 7.25%, '26   ...............   AA              248        243,038
  Nationslink Funding Corp. 96-1, B
    7.69%, '05 ..............................   AA              450        467,015
  Residential Asset Securitization
    Trust 96-A8, A1 8%, '26   ...............   AAA             582        589,113
  Residential Funding Mortgage I
    96-S8, A-4 6.75%, '11  ..................   AAA             666        652,504
  Residential Funding Mortgage I
    96-S1, A11 7.10%, '26  ..................   AAA           1,000        974,062
  Residential Funding Mortgage I
    96-S4, M1 7.25%, '26   ..................   AA              988        965,855
  Resolution Trust Corp. 93-C1, B
    8.75%, '24 ..............................   Aa(d)           425        424,270
  Resolution Trust Corp. 95-C2, B
    6.80%, '27 ..............................   Aa(d)         1,113      1,106,125
  Resolution Trust Corp. 95-2, M1
    7.15%, '29 ..............................   Aa(d)           576        574,181
  Structured Asset Securities Corp.
    93-C1, B 6.60%, '24 .....................   A+              525        502,237
                                                                      ------------
                                                                         8,288,575
                                                                      ------------


                                              STANDARD      PAR
                                              & POOR'S     VALUE
                                               RATING      (000)        VALUE
                                              ----------  ---------  -------------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>        <C>
Paper & Forest Products--0.4%
  Buckeye Cellulose Corp. 8.50%,
    '05  ....................................   BB-            $700    $   709,625
                                                                      ------------
Truckers & Marine--0.1%
  Teekay Shipping Corp. 8.32%, '08 ..........   Ba(d)           230        232,875
                                                                      ------------
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS
  (Identified cost $10,838,173)  ............                           10,812,917
                                                                      ------------
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES--3.0%
Argentina--0.5%
  Republic of Argentina Bearer FRB
    6.75%, '05 (e)   ........................   BB-             679        638,684
  Republic of Argentina Discount
    L-GL Euro 6.875%, '23 (e) ...............   BB-             275        238,047
  Republic of Argentina Global Bond
    11.375%, '17  ...........................   BB              100        111,525
  Republic of Argentina Par L-GP
    5.50%, '23 (e)   ........................   BB-             220        152,900
                                                                      ------------
                                                                         1,141,156
                                                                      ------------
Brazil--0.4%
  Republic of Brazil C Bond, PIK
    interest capitalization, 8%,
    '14 (e) .................................   B+              728        591,172
  Republic of Brazil DCB-L Euro
    6.938%, '12 (e)  ........................   B+              425        351,156
                                                                      ------------
                                                                           942,328
                                                                      ------------
Colombia--0.4%
  Republic of Colombia 7.25%, '03   .........   BBB-            500        486,590
  Republic of Colombia Yankee
    7.25%, '04 ..............................   BBB-            475        461,351
                                                                      ------------
                                                                           947,941
                                                                      ------------
Mexico--0.6%
  United Mexican States 144A
    7.875%, '01 (c)(e)  .....................   Baa(d)          400        400,640
  United Mexican States Discount A
    6.867%, '19 (e)(f)  .....................   BB              205        190,778
  United Mexican States Euro D
    6.813%, '19 (e)(f)  .....................   BB              250        232,656
  United Mexican States Series A
    Euro 6.25%, '19  ........................   BB              300        232,313
  United Mexican States Series B
    Euro 6.25%, '19  ........................   BB              350        271,031
                                                                      ------------
                                                                         1,327,418
                                                                      ------------
Poland--0.6%
  Poland Discount Euro 6.938%,
    '24 (e) .................................   BBB-            600        588,000
  Poland PDI Bearer 4%, '14 (e)  ............   BBB-            700        598,500
                                                                      ------------
                                                                         1,186,500
                                                                      ------------
Venezuela--0.5%
  Republic of Venezuela Discount
    6.813%, '20 (e)(f)  .....................   Ba(d)           815        721,275
  Republic of Venezuela Par W-A
    6.75%, '20 (f)   ........................   Ba(d)           300        236,438
                                                                      ------------
                                                                           957,713
                                                                      ------------
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
  (Identified cost $6,039,671)...............                            6,503,056
                                                                      ------------
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       31
<PAGE>


                                BALANCED SERIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     STANDARD      PAR
                                     & POOR'S     VALUE
                                      RATING      (000)       VALUE
                                     ----------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>        <C>
FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--0.7%
Chile--0.2%
  Compania Sud Amer Vapore
    7.375%, '03   ..................   BBB         $   120    $  118,050
  Petropower I Funding Trust 144A
    7.36%, '14 (c)   ...............   BBB             350       333,099
                                                             -----------
                                                                 451,149
                                                             -----------
Colombia--0.3%
  Financiera Energ Nacional EMTN
    Euro 9%, '99  ..................   BBB-            440       460,350
                                                             -----------
Indonesia--0.2%
  Asia Pulp & Paper Co. Yankee
    11.75%, '05   ..................    BB             400       442,000
                                                             -----------
TOTAL FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS
 (Identified cost $1,312,627)  ...........................      1,353,499
                                                              -----------
MUNICIPAL BONDS--1.9%
California--0.9%
  Kern County Pension Obligation
    Taxable 7.26%, '14  ............   AAA             420       415,372
  Long Beach Pension Obligation
    Taxable 6.87%, '06  ............   AAA             230       227,838
  Orange County Pension Series A
    Taxable 7.62%, '08  ............   AAA             650       673,322
  San Bernardino County Obligation
    Revenue Taxable 6.87%, '08   ...   AAA             110       107,605
  San Bernardino County Obligation
    Revenue Taxable 6.94%, '09   ...   AAA             300       294,324
  Ventura County Pension Taxable
    6.54%, '05 .....................   AAA             260       253,947
                                                             -----------
                                                               1,972,408
                                                             -----------
Florida--0.6%
  Miami Beach Special Obligation
    Taxable 8.60%, '21  ............   AAA             875       941,868
  University of Miami Exchangeable
    Revenue Series A Taxable
    7.65%, '20 .....................   AAA             270       269,325
                                                             -----------
                                                               1,211,193
                                                             -----------
Virginia--0.4%
  Newport News Taxable Series B
    7.05%, '25 .....................   AA-           1,000       938,890
                                                             -----------
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS
    (Identified cost $4,200,134)  ........................      4,122,491
                                                              -----------

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   SHARES
                                                  --------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>

COMMON STOCKS--53.4%
Aerospace & Defense--0.8%
  Sundstrand Corp.  ...........................      10,800       583,200
  United Technologies Corp.  ..................      13,500     1,120,500
                                                              -----------
                                                                1,703,700
                                                              -----------
Banks--3.1%
  Citicorp    .................................      17,500     2,109,844
  First Union Corp.    ........................       2,600       240,500
  Mellon Bank Corp.    ........................      52,000     2,346,500
  Nationsbank Corp.    ........................      32,000     2,064,000
                                                              -----------
                                                                6,760,844
                                                              -----------
Beverages--1.0%
  PepsiCo, Inc. (g)    ........................      57,500     2,159,844
                                                              -----------
Chemical--0.2%
  Monsanto Co.   ..............................      10,400       447,850
                                                              -----------
Chemical--Specialty--0.4%
  Praxair, Inc.  ..............................      14,100       789,600
                                                              -----------
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  SHARES      VALUE
                                                  -------- ------------
<S>                                               <C>      <C>
Computer Software & Services--2.1%
  Adaptec, Inc. (b)   ...........................  5,400   $  187,650
  HBO & Co.  .................................... 24,600    1,694,325
  Microsoft Corp. (b) ........................... 21,000    2,653,875
                                                           -----------
                                                            4,535,850
                                                           -----------
Conglomerates--0.9%
  Tyco International Ltd.   ..................... 27,300    1,899,056
                                                           -----------
Cosmetics & Soaps--4.4%
  Colgate-Palmolive Co. (g)    .................. 52,100    3,399,525
  Gillette Co.  ................................. 46,400    4,396,400
  Procter & Gamble Co. (g)  ..................... 12,300    1,737,375
                                                           -----------
                                                            9,533,300
                                                           -----------
Diversified Financial Services--2.2%
  American Express Co.   ........................  5,900      439,550
  Franklin Resources, Inc.  ..................... 22,200    1,610,887
  Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. .....................  6,900      411,413
  T. Rowe Price Associates (g)    ............... 24,350    1,257,069
  Washington Mutual, Inc.   ..................... 18,400    1,099,400
                                                           -----------
                                                            4,818,319
                                                           -----------
Electrical Equipment--2.3%
  General Electric Co.   ........................ 58,800    3,844,050
  Honeywell, Inc.  .............................. 14,300    1,085,012
                                                           -----------
                                                            4,929,062
                                                           -----------
Electronics--3.8%
  Altera Corp. (b) .............................. 10,300      520,150
  Intel Corp. (g)  .............................. 26,480    3,755,195
  Perkin Elmer Corp.  ........................... 38,100    3,031,331
  Texas Instruments, Inc.   ..................... 10,000      840,625
                                                           -----------
                                                            8,147,301
                                                           -----------
Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming--0.7%
  Time Warner, Inc.   ........................... 13,000      627,250
  Walt Disney Co.  .............................. 12,500    1,003,125
                                                           -----------
                                                            1,630,375
                                                           -----------
Healthcare--Diversified--1.3%
  Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (g)    ............... 34,400    2,786,400
                                                           -----------
Healthcare--Drugs--3.8%
  Amgen, Inc. (b)  .............................. 37,000    2,150,625
  Eli Lilly & Co. (g)    ........................  8,200      896,362
  Merck & Co., Inc.   ........................... 25,400    2,628,900
  Pfizer, Inc.  ................................. 22,300    2,664,850
                                                           -----------
                                                            8,340,737
                                                           -----------
Hospital Management & Services--0.8%
  Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp.   ............... 45,900    1,804,444
                                                           -----------
Insurance--2.7%
  Allstate Corp.   .............................. 30,100    2,197,300
  Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.  ...... 22,300    1,845,325
  SunAmerica, Inc. .............................. 36,000    1,755,000
                                                           -----------
                                                            5,797,625
                                                           -----------
Machinery--0.5%
  Deere & Co.   ................................. 19,500    1,070,063
                                                           -----------
Medical Products & Supplies--4.8%
  Abbott Laboratories ........................... 23,900    1,595,325
  Baxter International, Inc.   .................. 44,900    2,346,025
  Boston Scientific Corp. (b)  .................. 41,834    2,570,176
  Cardinal Health, Inc.  ........................ 28,100    1,608,725
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       32
<PAGE>


                                BALANCED SERIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SHARES      VALUE
                                                     --------- ------------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>
Medical Products & Supplies--continued
  Johnson & Johnson   ..............................  36,400    2,343,250
                                                               ------------
                                                               10,463,501
                                                               ------------
Natural Gas--0.3%
  Columbia Gas System, Inc. ........................   9,600      626,400
                                                               ------------
Office & Business Equipment--1.0%
  International Business Machines Corp. (g)   ......  24,400    2,200,575
                                                               ------------
Oil--0.7%
  Exxon Corp.   ....................................  24,400    1,500,600
                                                               ------------
Oil Service & Equipment--3.3%
  Camco International, Inc. ........................   7,800      427,050
  ENSCO International, Inc. (b)   ..................  20,600    1,086,650
  Halliburton Co.  .................................  20,400    1,616,700
  Noble Drilling Corp. (b)  ........................  46,200    1,042,388
  Schlumberger Ltd.   ..............................  17,200    2,150,000
  Transocean Offshore, Inc. ........................  12,300      893,287
                                                               ------------
                                                                7,216,075
                                                               ------------
Paper & Forest Products--0.6%
  Kimberly Clark Corp.   ...........................  28,400    1,412,900
                                                               ------------
Pollution Control--0.5%
  U.S. Filter Corp. (b)  ...........................  36,600      997,350
                                                               ------------
Professional Services--0.6%
  HFS, Inc. (b) ....................................  21,750    1,261,500
                                                               ------------
Publishing, Broadcasting, Printing & Cable--1.0%
  Gannett Co, Inc. .................................  11,800    1,165,250
  New York Times Co. Class A   .....................  20,800    1,029,600
                                                               ------------
                                                                2,194,850
                                                               ------------
Real Estate--0.0%
  Crescent Operating Inc. (b)  .....................   1,565       18,780
                                                               ------------
REITS--0.5%
  Crescent Real Estate Equities Co.  ...............  15,650      496,888
  Redwood Trust, Inc. ..............................  15,000      701,250
                                                               ------------
                                                                1,198,138
                                                               ------------
Retail--2.3%
  Home Depot, Inc. .................................  17,500    1,206,406
  Lowe's Companies, Inc. ...........................  26,100      968,963
  Staples, Inc. (b)   .............................. 118,100    2,745,825
                                                               ------------
                                                                4,921,194
                                                               ------------
Retail--Drugs--0.5%
  CVS Corp.  .......................................  22,100    1,132,625
                                                               ------------
Retail--Food--0.5%
  Safeway, Inc. (b)   ..............................  22,300    1,028,587
                                                               ------------
Telecommunications Equipment--2.6%
  Ascend Communications, Inc. (b) ..................  51,550    2,029,781
  Cisco Systems, Inc. (b)   ........................  16,200    1,087,425
  Lucent Technologies, Inc. ........................  23,900    1,722,294
  Motorola, Inc.   .................................   9,400      714,400
                                                               ------------
                                                                5,553,900
                                                               ------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                SHARES      VALUE
                                                -------- -------------
<S>                                             <C>      <C>
Textile & Apparel--0.5%
  Nike, Inc. Class B   ........................   18,300   $  1,068,262
                                                          -------------
Tobacco--1.0%
  Philip Morris Companies, Inc. ...............   49,200      2,183,250
                                                          -------------
Utility--Telephone--1.7%
  Ameritech Corp.   ...........................    7,300        495,944
  Bell Atlantic Corp.  ........................   26,700      2,025,862
  LCI International, Inc. (b)   ...............    9,100        199,063
  SBC Communications, Inc.   ..................   14,600        903,375
                                                          -------------
                                                              3,624,244
                                                          -------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $103,229,336) .......................    115,757,101
                                                           -------------
FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS--1.7%
Electronics--0.8%
  Philips Electronics NV ADR (Netherlands)  ...   24,100      1,732,187
                                                          -------------
Oil--0.5%
  Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. ADR NY Registered
    (Netherlands)   ...........................   20,800      1,131,000
                                                          -------------
Pollution Control--0.4%
  Philip Services Corp. (Canada) (b)  .........   56,300        893,762
                                                          -------------
TOTAL FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $3,035,774) .........................      3,756,949
                                                          -------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--90.0%
  (Identified cost $181,505,123) .......................    194,954,183
                                                          -------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      STANDARD     PAR
                                      & POOR'S    VALUE
                                       RATING     (000)
                                      ---------- --------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>      <C>
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--9.8%
Commercial Paper--9.8%
  Mobil Corp. 6.25%, 7-1-97 .........   A-1+       $1,730         1,730,000
  Shell Oil Co. 6.15%, 7-1-97  ......   A-1+        4,495         4,495,000
  Preferred Receivables Funding Corp.
    5.60%, 7-2-97  ..................   A-1           202           201,969
  Donnelley (R.R.) & Sons Co. 5.52%,
    7-7-97   ........................   A-1         3,185         3,182,070
  Asset Securitization Corp. 5.60%,
    7-10-97  ........................   A-1+        2,000         1,997,200
  Dupont (E.I.) de Nemours 5.55%,
    7-14-97  ........................   A-1+          275           274,449
  Private Export Funding Corp. 5.57%
    7-14-97  ........................   A-1+        1,655         1,651,403
  Receivable Capital Corp 5.57%,
    7-15-97  ........................   A-1+        1,030         1,027,769
  Private Export Funding Corp. 5.61%,
    7-28-97  ........................   A-1+        2,520         2,509,127
  Receivable Capital Corp. 5.62%,
    8-8-97   ........................   A-1+        2,500         2,485,169
  Beta Finance Corp. 5.60%, 9-12-97     A-1+        1,000           988,590
  Beta Finance Corp. 5.65%, 10-27-97    A-1+          750           736,192
                                                           -----------------
                                                                 21,278,938
                                                           -----------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS
  (Identified cost $21,279,449) ........................         21,278,938
                                                           -----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--99.8%
  (Identified cost $202,784,572)........................        216,233,121(a)
  Cash and receivables, less liabilities--0.2% .........            490,797
                                                           -----------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%  ....................................   $    216,723,918
                                                           =================
</TABLE>

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $16,082,947 and gross
    depreciation of $2,664,229 for income tax purposes. At June 30, 1997, the
    aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was
    $202,814,403.
(b) Non-income producing.
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of
    1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from
    registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30,
    1997, these securities amounted to a value of $1,147,989 or 0.5% of net
    assets.
(d) As rated by Moody's, Fitch or Duff & Phelps.
(e) Variable or step coupon bond; interest rate shown reflects the rate
    currently in effect.
(f) Rights incorporated as a unit.
(g) Segregated as collateral.

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       33
<PAGE>


                                BALANCED SERIES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Assets
Investment securities at value (Identified cost $202,784,572) ..................... $216,233,121
Cash    ...........................................................................      107,633
Receivables
 Interest and dividends   .........................................................      993,785
 Investment securities sold  ......................................................      212,884
                                                                                    -------------
  Total assets   ..................................................................  217,547,423
                                                                                    -------------
Liabilities
Payables
 Fund shares repurchased  .........................................................      329,503
 Investment securities purchased   ................................................      194,236
 Options written, at value (Premiums received $120,536) ...........................      122,288
 Investment advisory fee  .........................................................       97,389
 Financial agent fee   ............................................................       10,624
 Trustees' fee   ..................................................................        3,143
 Accrued expenses   ...............................................................       66,322
                                                                                    -------------
  Total liabilities    ............................................................      823,505
                                                                                    -------------
Net Assets    ..................................................................... $216,723,918
                                                                                    =============
Net Assets Consist of:
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest    .............................. $189,227,746
 Undistributed net investment income  .............................................       35,278
 Accumulated net realized gain  ...................................................   14,014,097
 Net unrealized appreciation    ...................................................   13,446,797
                                                                                    -------------
Net Assets    ..................................................................... $216,723,918
                                                                                    =============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization      17,130,094
                                                                                    =============
Net asset value and offering price per share   ....................................       $12.65
                                                                                    =============
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
Investment Income
 Interest  ...............................................................    $ 3,294,909
 Dividends    ............................................................        662,660
                                                                              -----------
  Total investment income    .............................................      3,957,569
                                                                              -----------
Expenses
 Investment advisory fee  ................................................        568,120
 Financial agent fee   ...................................................         61,977
 Printing  ...............................................................         23,956
 Custodian    ............................................................         17,610
 Professional    .........................................................         16,100
 Trustees  ...............................................................         13,106
 Miscellaneous   .........................................................          7,604
                                                                              -----------
  Total expenses    ......................................................        708,473
                                                                              -----------
Net investment income  ...................................................      3,249,096
                                                                              -----------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
 Net realized gain on securities   .......................................     14,191,285
 Net realized gain on written options    .................................          5,202
 Net realized gain on foreign currency and foreign currency transactions            6,754
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments   ...      2,065,168
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on written options           (1,752)
                                                                              -----------
Net gain on investments   ................................................     16,266,657
                                                                              -----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations    ..................    $19,515,753
                                                                              ===========
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       34
<PAGE>


                                BALANCED SERIES

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Six Months
                                                                                     Ended
                                                                                  June 30, 1997       Year Ended
                                                                                  (Unaudited)       December 31, 1996
                                                                                  ---------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>               <C>
From Operations
 Net investment income   ......................................................   $  3,249,096        $   5,806,775
 Net realized gain    .........................................................     14,203,241           16,867,817
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  ........................      2,063,416           (2,671,304)
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  ........................     19,515,753           20,003,288
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
From Distributions to Shareholders
 Net investment income   ......................................................     (3,565,032)          (5,536,811)
 Net realized gains   .........................................................     (5,977,747)         (18,064,626)
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders   ..................     (9,542,779)         (23,601,437)
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
From Share Transactions
 Proceeds from sales of shares (1,200,311 and 2,805,856 shares, respectively)       14,948,263           34,642,833
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions
  (759,231 and 1,949,091 shares, respectively)   ..............................      9,542,779           23,601,437
 Cost of shares repurchased (1,771,298 and 3,529,372 shares, respectively)  ...    (22,025,330)         (43,662,808)
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
 Increase in net assets from share transactions  ..............................      2,465,712           14,581,462
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
 Net increase in net assets    ................................................     12,438,686           10,983,313
Net Assets
 Beginning of period  .........................................................    204,285,232          193,301,919
                                                                                  -------------       -------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $35,278
  and $351,214, respectively)  ................................................   $216,723,918        $ 204,285,232
                                                                                  =============       =============
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Six Months
                                                       Ended
                                                      6/30/97
                                                    (Unaudited)
                                                  ----------------
<S>                                               <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period    .........  $    12.06
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income   ........................        0.20
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   ......        0.97
                                                   ----------
  Total from investment operations   ............        1.17
                                                   ----------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income   .........       (0.22)
 Dividends from net realized gains   ............       (0.36)
                                                   ----------
  Total distributions    ........................       (0.58)
                                                   ----------
Change in net asset value   .....................        0.59
                                                   ----------
Net asset value, end of period    ...............  $    12.65
                                                   ==========
Total return    .................................        9.77%(5)
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   .........  $  216,724
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses   ...........................        0.69%(1)
 Net investment income   ........................        3.15%(1)
Portfolio turnover rate  ........................          87%(5)
Average commission rate paid(6)   ...............  $   0.0548



<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     From Inception
                                                                         Year Ended December 31,                       5/1/92 to   
                                                     1996          1995              1994                1993           12/31/92   
                                                  ------------ -------------- ------------------  -----------------  --------------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>            <C>                 <C>                <C>           
Net asset value, beginning of period    .........  $  12.30    $    10.53     $     11.31         $     10.77        $    10.00    
Income from investment operations                                                                                                  
 Net investment income   ........................      0.36          0.40(3)         0.38(2)(3)          0.32(2)(3)        0.19(3) 
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   ......      0.89          2.02           (0.70)               0.60              0.77    
                                                   --------    ----------     -----------         -----------        ----------    
  Total from investment operations   ............      1.25          2.42           (0.32)               0.92              0.96    
                                                   --------    ----------     -----------         -----------        ----------    
Less distributions                                                                                                                 
 Dividends from net investment income   .........     (0.35)        (0.40)          (0.36)              (0.32)            (0.19)   
 Dividends from net realized gains   ............     (1.14)        (0.25)          (0.10)              (0.06)               --    
                                                   --------    ----------     -----------         -----------        ----------    
  Total distributions    ........................     (1.49)        (0.65)          (0.46)              (0.38)            (0.19)   
                                                   --------    ----------     -----------         -----------        ----------    
Change in net asset value   .....................     (0.24)         1.77           (0.78)               0.54              0.77    
                                                   --------    ----------     -----------         -----------        ----------    
Net asset value, end of period    ...............  $  12.06    $    12.30     $     10.53         $     11.31        $    10.77    
                                                   ========    ==========     ===========         ===========        ==========    
Total return    .................................     10.56%        23.28%          (2.80)%              8.57%             9.72%(5)
Ratios/supplemental data:                                                                                                          
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   .........  $204,285    $  193,302     $   161,105         $   158,144        $   54,467    
Ratio to average net assets of:                                                                                                    
 Operating expenses   ...........................      0.68%         0.65%(4)        0.69%               0.70%             0.50%(1)
 Net investment income   ........................      2.93%         3.44%           3.44%               3.16%             3.59%(1)
Portfolio turnover rate  ........................       229%          223%            171%                161%              110%(1)
Average commission rate paid(6)   ...............  $ 0.0641        N/A              N/A                 N/A              N/A       
                                                                                                                        

</TABLE>

(1) Annualized
(2) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of
    $0.001 and $0.001 per share, respectively.
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(4) The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excludes the effect
    of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were included, the
    ratio would not significantly differ.
(5) Not annualized
(6) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not 
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal
    basis.


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       35
<PAGE>


                               REAL ESTATE SERIES

INVESTMENT REVIEW

     For the six months ended June 30, 1997, the Fund generated a total return
of 7.43%, outperforming the NAREIT Equity Total Return Index* return of 5.73%.
All performance figures assume reinvestment of dividends and exclude the effect
of sales charges.

     Our investment strategy is to emphasize market sectors with strong
underlying fundamentals and prospects for growth in excess of market averages
as well as sectors that are significantly undervalued on a risk-adjusted basis.
Over the past six months, the Fund benefited from its significant overweighting
in hotels and apartments. While performance was somewhat tempered by a low
allocation to mall REITs, which generated very strong results, our investments
in the strip-retail REIT sector contributed positively to the Fund's return.

     Real estate securities experienced a minor correction during the first
four months of 1997, then recovered slightly over the last two months. REIT
performance was impacted by several factors. First, there was a tremendous
volume of capital-raising activity, which put downward pressure on prices. In
addition, a significant rise in interest rates resulted in dividend yields
that, other than for two brief periods in 1991 and 1994, were below 10-year
Treasury yields for the first time since 1989. On a weighted-average basis,
REIT total return dropped 2.06% from year-end through April, and then
experienced a modest recovery in May and June. The recovery was, in part,
supported by very strong operational performance. First-quarter growth in funds
from operation (FFO) was well above industry analyst expectations, and
second-quarter results are also expected to be better than projected.


OUTLOOK

     The outlook for REITs for the remainder of 1997 remains very strong for a
number of reasons. First, the underlying real estate market continues to
evidence stability, with construction levels in most markets trailing expected
demand growth. Second, funds from operations multiples--comparable to a P/E
ratio for non-REITs--are in line with historic levels and well below the
broader market P/E ratios. Third, dividend yields, albeit below pre-1996
levels, are higher than at year-end 1996 and provide a very attractive benefit
relative to the broader market. As of June 30, 1997, the average dividend yield
for REITs was 6.06% compared with a yield of only 1.87% for the S&P 500 Index.
Finally, both individual and institutional investor demand is expected to
continue to expand. We intend to maintain the Fund's emphasis on mixed
office/industrial and hotel REITs, which we believe have good upside potential,
and remain underweighted in the retail sector.

















* The NAREIT Equity Total Return Index is a market-weighted total return of all
  tax-qualified REITs listed on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock
  Exchange and the NASDAQ National Market System.


                                       36
<PAGE>


                              REAL ESTATE SERIES

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               SHARES        VALUE
                                               ---------   ------------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>            
COMMON STOCKS--97.5%
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS--89.2%
COMMERCIAL--28.6%
Office/Industrial--23.1%
  Beacon Properties Corp.    ...............      24,300     $   811,012
  Cali Realty Corp.    .....................      15,200         516,800
  CarrAmerica Realty Corp.   ...............      26,400         759,000
  Duke Realty Investments, Inc.    .........      38,300       1,551,150
  Highwoods Properties, Inc.    ............      59,900       1,916,800
  Kilroy Realty Corp.  .....................      15,200         383,800
  Reckson Associates Realty Corp.  .........      17,200         395,600
  Spieker Properties, Inc.   ...............      49,900       1,755,856
  Weeks Corp.    ...........................      28,900         903,125
                                                            ------------
                                                               8,993,143
                                                            ------------
Storage--5.5%
  Public Storage, Inc.    ..................      29,800         871,650
  Shurgard Storage Centers, Inc. Class A  ..      14,000         392,000
  Storage USA, Inc.    .....................      22,900         875,925
                                                            ------------
                                                               2,139,575
                                                            ------------
TOTAL COMMERCIAL  .......................................     11,132,718
                                                            ------------
HEALTH CARE--3.2%
  Health Care Property Investors, Inc.   ...       5,750         202,688
  Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.  ......      47,900       1,053,800
                                                            ------------
                                                               1,256,488
                                                            ------------
HOTELS--12.9%
  FelCor Suite Hotels, Inc.  ...............      35,500       1,322,375
  Patriot American Hospitality, Inc.  ......      91,800       2,340,900
  Starwood Lodging Trust  ..................      32,100       1,370,269
                                                            ------------
                                                               5,033,544
                                                            ------------
RESIDENTIAL--28.7%
Apartments--24.8%
  Avalon Properties, Inc.    ...............      26,500         758,563
  Bay Apartment Communities, Inc.  .........      29,900       1,106,300
  Camden Property Trust   ..................      26,100         825,412
  Columbus Realty Trust   ..................      20,200         459,550
  Equity Residential Properties Trust    ...      24,600       1,168,500
  Evans Withycombe Residential, Inc.  ......      33,900         703,425
  Irvine Apartment Communities, Inc.  ......      33,500         984,062
  Merry Land & Investment Co.   ............      33,400         724,363
  Oasis Residential, Inc.    ...............      32,100         754,350
  Post Properties, Inc.   ..................      27,100       1,099,244
  United Dominion Realty Trust  ............      76,400       1,083,925
                                                            ------------
                                                               9,667,694
                                                            ------------
Manufactured Homes--3.9%
  Manufactured Home Communities, Inc.   ....      33,800         779,513
  Sun Communities, Inc.   ..................      21,300         714,881
                                                            ------------
                                                               1,494,394
                                                            ------------
TOTAL RESIDENTIAL    ....................................     11,162,088
                                                            ------------


                                               SHARES        VALUE
                                               ---------   ------------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>          
RETAIL--15.8%
Community/Neighborhood--7.3%
  Developers Diversified Realty Corp.    ...      18,000     $   720,000
  Federal Realty Investment Trust  .........      24,800         669,600
  Regency Realty Corp.    ..................      12,000         327,000
  Vornado Realty Trust    ..................      15,700       1,132,362
                                                            ------------
                                                               2,848,962
                                                            ------------
Factory Outlet--2.2%
  Chelsea G.C.A. Realty, Inc.   ............      22,600         858,800
                                                            ------------
Regional Malls--6.3%
  Simon DeBartolo Group, Inc.   ............      17,796         569,472
  Taubman Centers, Inc.   ..................      77,100       1,021,575
  The Macerich Company    ..................      30,300         840,825
                                                            ------------
                                                               2,431,872
                                                            ------------
TOTAL RETAIL  ..........................................       6,139,634
                                                            ------------
TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
  (Identified cost $29,621,772) ........................      34,724,472
                                                            ------------
REAL ESTATE OPERATING COMPANIES--8.3%
Hotels--7.4%
  CapStar Hotel Co. (b)   ..................      33,700       1,078,400
  Host Marriott Corp. (b)    ...............     100,600       1,791,938
                                                            ------------
                                                               2,870,338
                                                            ------------
Regional Malls--0.9%
  Rouse Co.   ..............................      12,500         368,750
                                                            ------------
TOTAL REAL ESTATE OPERATING COMPANIES
  (Identified cost $2,581,365)  ........................       3,239,088
                                                            ------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $32,203,137) ........................      37,963,560
                                                            ------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  STANDARD     PAR
                                  & POOR'S    VALUE
                                   RATING     (000)
                                  ----------  -------
<S>                               <C>         <C>      <C>
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--2.0%
Commercial Paper--2.0%
  Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. 6%,
    7-1-97  .....................   A-1+      $790               790,000
                                                         ----------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS
  (Identified cost $790,000) ........................            790,000
                                                         ----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--99.5%
  (Identified cost $32,993,137) .....................         38,753,560(a)
  Cash and receivables, less liabilities--0.5%    ...            178,413
                                                         ----------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%  .................................    $    38,931,973
                                                         ================
</TABLE>

(a) Federal Income Tax information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $5,994,643 and gross
    depreciation of $234,220 for income tax purposes. At June 30, 1997, the
    aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was
    $32,993,137.
(b) Non-income producing.

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       37
<PAGE>


                               REAL ESTATE SERIES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Assets
Investment securities at value (Identified cost $32,993,137)   ..................   $38,753,560
Cash  ...........................................................................         3,281
Receivables
 Dividends  .....................................................................       176,912
 Fund shares sold    ............................................................        55,698
                                                                                    ------------
  Total assets    ...............................................................    38,989,451
                                                                                    ------------
Liabilities
Payables
 Investment advisory fee   ......................................................        16,534
 Trustees' fee    ...............................................................         3,105
 Financial agent fee    .........................................................         1,858
 Accrued expenses    ............................................................        35,981
                                                                                    ------------
  Total liabilities  ............................................................        57,478
                                                                                    ------------
Net Assets  .....................................................................   $38,931,973
                                                                                    ============
Net Assets Consist of:
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest  ..............................   $32,597,041
 Undistributed net investment income   ..........................................       275,996
 Accumulated net realized gain   ................................................       298,513
 Net unrealized appreciation  ...................................................     5,760,423
                                                                                    ------------
Net Assets  .....................................................................   $38,931,973
                                                                                    ============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization      2,569,062
                                                                                    ============
Net asset value and offering price per share    .................................        $15.15
                                                                                    ============
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>
Investment Income
 Dividends   .........................................................    $  828,326
 Interest    .........................................................        23,930
                                                                          ----------
  Total investment income   ..........................................       852,256
                                                                          ----------
Expenses
 Investment advisory fee    ..........................................       117,394
 Financial agent fee  ................................................         9,392
 Printing    .........................................................        10,470
 Professional   ......................................................         9,988
 Trustees    .........................................................         9,457
 Custodian   .........................................................         7,358
 Miscellaneous  ......................................................         3,110
                                                                          ----------
  Total expenses   ...................................................       167,169
  Less expenses borne by investment adviser   ........................       (10,644)
                                                                          ----------
  Net expenses  ......................................................       156,525
                                                                          ----------
Net investment income    .............................................       695,731
                                                                          ----------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
 Net realized gain on securities  ....................................       299,685
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments       1,345,216
                                                                          ----------
Net gain on investments  .............................................     1,644,901
                                                                          ----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   ...............    $2,340,632
                                                                          ==========
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       38
<PAGE>


                               REAL ESTATE SERIES

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Six Months
                                                                                            Ended
                                                                                        June 30, 1997      Year Ended
                                                                                         (Unaudited)    December 31, 1996
                                                                                       ---------------- ------------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>              <C>
From Operations
 Net investment income    ............................................................  $     695,731     $    538,337
 Net realized gain  ..................................................................        299,685          357,371
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   ..............................      1,345,216        3,569,257
                                                                                        -------------     ------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   ..............................      2,340,632        4,464,965
                                                                                        -------------     ------------
From Distributions to Shareholders
 Net investment income    ............................................................       (428,477)        (529,595)
 Net realized gains    ...............................................................       (124,358)        (234,185)
                                                                                        -------------     ------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders    ........................       (552,835)        (763,780)
                                                                                        -------------     ------------
From Share Transactions
 Proceeds from sales of shares (1,681,265 and 1,121,196 shares, respectively)   ......     24,605,605       14,117,141
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions
  (36,890 and 59,531 shares, respectively)  ..........................................        552,835          763,780
 Cost of shares repurchased (734,737 and 342,758 shares, respectively)    ............    (10,724,024)      (4,344,888)
                                                                                        -------------     ------------
 Increase in net assets from share transactions   ....................................     14,434,416       10,536,033
                                                                                        -------------     ------------
 Net increase in net assets  .........................................................     16,222,213       14,237,218
Net Assets
 Beginning of period   ...............................................................     22,709,760        8,472,542
                                                                                        -------------     ------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $275,996 and $8,742,
  respectively)  .....................................................................  $  38,931,973     $ 22,709,760
                                                                                        =============     ============
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Six Months
                                                    Ended            Year          From Inception
                                                   6/30/97           Ended          5/1/95 to
                                                 (Unaudited)       12/31/96          12/31/95
                                                 --------------   --------------   ---------------
<S>                                              <C>              <C>              <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period    ......   $   14.32         $  11.33        $    10.00
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income   .....................        0.28(3)          0.50(3)           0.33(3)
 Net realized and unrealized gain    .........        0.78             3.14              1.42
                                                 ---------         ---------       ----------
  Total from investment operations   .........        1.06             3.64              1.75
                                                 ---------         ---------       ----------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income   ......       (0.18)           (0.50)            (0.33)
 Dividends from net realized gains   .........       (0.05)           (0.15)            (0.06)
 Tax return of capital   .....................          --               --             (0.03)
                                                 ---------         ---------       ----------
  Total distributions    .....................       (0.23)           (0.65)            (0.42)
                                                 ---------         ---------       ----------
Change in net asset value   ..................        0.83             2.99              1.33
                                                 ---------         ---------       ----------
Net asset value, end of period    ............   $   15.15         $  14.32        $    11.33
                                                 =========         =========       ==========
Total return    ..............................        7.43%(2)        33.09%            17.79%(2)
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   ......   $  38,932         $ 22,710        $    8,473
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses   ........................        1.00%(1)         1.00%             1.00%(1)
 Net investment income   .....................        4.44%(1)         4.36%             4.80%(1)
Portfolio turnover rate  .....................           6%(2)           21%               10%(2)
Average commission rate paid(4)   ............   $  0.0482         $ 0.0468            N/A
</TABLE>

(1) Annualized
(2) Not annualized
(3) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of
    $0.005, $0.05 and $0.07 per share, respectively.
(4) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal
    basis.


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       39
<PAGE>


                             STRATEGIC THEME SERIES

INVESTMENT REVIEW

     The Phoenix Edge Strategic Theme Series returned 6.85% for the six months
ended June 30, 1997, compared with 12.99% for the S&P MidCap 400 Index and
20.53% for the S&P 500 Index. All performance figures assume reinvestment of
dividends and exclude the effect of sales charges.

     Over reasonably long time frames, small and mid-cap companies are
generally able to achieve more rapid growth in sales and net income than
larger, well-established companies. We believe that above-average growth leads
to above-average stock market performance over time. The S&P MidCap 400 Index
is an unmanaged index of companies with characteristics that are more
representative of those the Fund favors than is the S&P 500 Index. As a result,
the Fund's benchmark has been changed from the S&P 500 Index to the S&P MidCap
400 Index.*

     Over the past six months, the Fund has focused on the small and mid-cap
arenas which offer more opportunities for thematic investing, higher earnings
growth rates and more attractive valuations compared to large-cap stocks. It is
difficult to find emerging themes in the large-cap area because larger,
well-established companies tend to be associated with mature industries. Yet,
large-cap stocks dominated the market, which limited Fund performance. Positive
contributors included our financial services, health-care, telecommunications
and REIT holdings as well as our defensive use of cash during the
February-April sell-off.

     We continue to focus on themes with positive dynamics. Our Deregulating
Financial Services theme represents banks, insurance companies and brokerages,
which we believe will continue to witness above-average earnings growth and
benefit from continued industry consolidation. Energy Technology is profiting
from the recovery of the oil sector. This theme represents companies that
provide productivity-enhancing solutions to exploration and production
companies. Next Generation Semiconductors is benefiting from strong growth in
the global PC market, cellular phones and new consumer products. 21st Century
Medicine continues to be an attractive theme due to remarkable advances in
gene-mapping, biotechnology and non-invasive surgical techniques. The Bandwidth
Bottleneck theme represents companies capitalizing on network infrastructure
spending by the telecommunications industry.


OUTLOOK

     Looking forward, we believe our key investment themes will serve us well
in this environment. We have also included a strategic component to the Fund's
overall approach which gives us flexibility to use larger cap stocks when we
feel they will be strong performers. We expect the performance disparity
between small, mid and large-cap stocks will close as investors realize that
small and mid-cap stocks offer comparatively higher growth rates and lower
valuations. Finally, as the economy slows, growth stocks should become more
attractive and return to favor.  As of June 30, the Fund's asset allocation mix
was 83% equities and 17% cash equivalents.


[PIE CHART]

21st Century Medicine                   18.3%
Bandwidth Bottleneck                    11.8%
Special Situations                       8.8%
Energy Technology                        8.2%
Next Generation Semiconductors           4.6%
Wireless Wave                            4.1%
Global Consumer                          3.4%
Retail Revival                           2.9%
Short-term Obligations and Cash         17.5%
Deregulating Financial Services         20.4%

[END OF PIE CHART]


* The S&P MidCap 400 Index is an unmanaged, commonly used measure of mid-cap
  stock total return performance. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged, commonly
  used measure of large-cap stock total return performance.


                                       40
<PAGE>


                            STRATEGIC THEME SERIES

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  SHARES       VALUE
                                                  --------   -------------
<S>                                               <C>        <C>          
COMMON STOCKS--76.5%
Banks--Money Center--1.0%
  BankAmerica Corp. ...........................      6,000     $   387,375
                                                              ------------
Banks--Southeast--1.0%
  First American Corp.    .....................     10,000         383,750
                                                              ------------
Commercial Services--Security/Safety--1.0%
  Corrections Corporation of America (b)    ...     10,000         397,500
                                                              ------------
Computer--Mini/Micro--1.2%
  Dell Computer Corp. (b)(c)    ...............      4,000         469,750
                                                              ------------
Computer--Services--2.7%
  America Online, Inc. (b)   ..................     19,000       1,056,875
                                                              ------------
Computer--Software--1.2%
  Compuware Corp. (b)  ........................      9,500         453,625
                                                              ------------
Cosmetics/Personal Care--4.2%
  Avon Products, Inc.  ........................      8,000         564,500
  Gillette Co.   ..............................      8,000         758,000
  Weider Nutrition International, Inc.   ......     20,000         317,500
                                                              ------------
                                                                 1,640,000
                                                              ------------
Diversified Operations--2.0%
  Corning, Inc.  ..............................     14,000         778,750
                                                              ------------
Electric--Semiconductor Equipment--4.6%
  Applied Materials, Inc. (b)   ...............     13,500         955,969
  Teradyne, Inc. (b)   ........................     21,000         824,250
                                                              ------------
                                                                 1,780,219
                                                              ------------
Electric--Semiconductor Manufacturers--1.0%
  Motorola, Inc. ..............................      5,000         380,000
                                                              ------------
Finance--Investment Bankers--1.9%
  Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.  ..................      6,000         357,750
  Salomon, Inc.  ..............................      7,000         389,375
                                                              ------------
                                                                   747,125
                                                              ------------
Finance--Investment Management--0.9%
  T. Rowe Price Associates   ..................      7,000         361,375
                                                              ------------
Financial Services--Miscellaneous--4.0%
  American Express Co.    .....................     11,000         819,500
  SunAmerica, Inc.  ...........................     15,000         731,250
                                                              ------------
                                                                 1,550,750
                                                              ------------
Insurance--Diversified--2.3%
  Travelers Group, Inc.   .....................     14,000         882,875
                                                              ------------
Insurance--Life--5.1%
  Hartford Life, Inc. Class A (b)  ............     22,000         825,000
  Lincoln National Corp.  .....................      6,000         386,250
  Protective Life Corp.   .....................      8,000         402,000
  Torchmark Corp.   ...........................      5,000         356,250
                                                              ------------
                                                                 1,969,500
                                                              ------------
Insurance--Property/Casualty/Title--3.8%
  Allstate Corp.    ...........................     10,000         730,000
  American International Group, Inc.  .........      5,000         746,875
                                                              ------------
                                                                 1,476,875
                                                              ------------
Medical--Drug/Diversified--3.7%
  Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   ..................     10,000         810,000
  Warner-Lambert Co.   ........................      5,000         621,250
                                                              ------------
                                                                 1,431,250
                                                              ------------


                                                  SHARES       VALUE
                                                  --------   -------------
<S>                                               <C>        <C>          
Medical--Ethical Drugs--5.8%
  Eli Lilly & Co.   ...........................      6,000     $   655,875
  Pfizer, Inc.   ..............................      7,000         836,500
  Schering-Plough Corp.   .....................     16,000         766,000
                                                              ------------
                                                                 2,258,375
                                                              ------------
Medical--Instruments--4.7%
  Medtronic, Inc.   ...........................     14,000       1,134,000
  Spine-Tech, Inc. (b)    .....................     19,000         705,375
                                                              ------------
                                                                 1,839,375
                                                              ------------
Medical--Products--0.7%
  Guidant Corp.  ..............................      3,000         255,000
                                                              ------------
Oil & Gas--Drilling--1.2%
  Diamond Offshore Drilling (b)    ............      6,000         468,750
                                                              ------------
Oil & Gas--Machinery/Equipment--7.0%
  Cooper Cameron Corp. (b)   ..................     28,000       1,309,000
  Smith International, Inc. (b)    ............     11,000         668,250
  Varco International, Inc. (b)    ............     22,300         719,175
                                                              ------------
                                                                 2,696,425
                                                              ------------
Retail--Major Discount Chains--0.9%
  Costco Companies, Inc. (b)    ...............     11,000         361,625
                                                              ------------
Retail/Wholesale--Building Products--2.0%
  Home Depot, Inc.  ...........................     11,000         758,312
                                                              ------------
Telecommunications--Equipment--10.9%
  Brightpoint, Inc. (b)   .....................     12,000         390,750
  Ciena Corp. (b)   ...........................     25,000       1,178,125
  Lucent Technologies, Inc.  ..................     11,000         792,688
  Newbridge Networks Corp. (b)  ...............     18,000         783,000
  Tellabs, Inc. (b)    ........................     19,000       1,061,625
                                                              ------------
                                                                 4,206,188
                                                              ------------
Transportation--Trucks--1.7%
  CNF Transportation, Inc.   ..................     20,000         645,000
                                                              ------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $25,890,450) ..........................      29,636,644
                                                              ------------
FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS--6.0%
Banks--0.4%
  Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA GDR (Brazil)
    (b)    ....................................      4,000         148,500
                                                              ------------
Medical--Biomed/Genetics--2.4%
  Qiagen NV (Netherlands) (b)   ...............     19,000         915,562
                                                              ------------
Medical--Ethical Drugs--1.0%
  Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.
    Sponsored ADR (Israel)   ..................      6,000         388,500
                                                              ------------
Telecommunications--Equipment--2.1%
  Northern Telecom Ltd. (Canada)   ............      4,000         364,000
  Oy Nokia Corp. Sponsored ADR (Finland)    ...      6,000         442,500
                                                              ------------
                                                                   806,500
                                                              ------------
Transportation--Airlines--0.1%
  Ryanair Holdings PLC Sponsored ADR
    (Ireland) (b)   ...........................      2,000          54,250
                                                              ------------
TOTAL FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $2,076,890)  ..........................       2,313,312
                                                              ------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--82.5%
  (Identified cost $27,967,340) ..........................      31,949,956
                                                              ------------
</TABLE>



                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       41
<PAGE>


                            STRATEGIC THEME SERIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     STANDARD     PAR
                                     & POOR'S    VALUE
                                      RATING     (000)           VALUE
                                     ----------  --------  --------------------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>       <C>
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--18.1%
Commercial Paper--18.1%
  Cargill, Inc. 6.05%, 7-1-97 ......   A-1+        $1,610    $    1,610,000
  Preferred Receivables Funding
    Corp. 5.60%, 7-2-97 ............   A-1          1,510         1,509,765
  AT&T Corp. 5.58%, 7-8-97    ......   A-1+         1,000           998,915
  Exxon Imperial U.S., Inc. 5.55%,
    7-15-97    .....................   A-1+         1,000           997,842
  Goldman Sachs & Co. 5.57%,
    7-15-97    .....................   A-1+           745           743,386
  General Electric Co. 5.60%,
    7-17-97    .....................   A-1+         1,135         1,132,175
                                                             ----------------
                                                                  6,992,083
                                                             ----------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS
  (Identified cost $6,992,083)   ........................         6,992,083
                                                             ----------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--100.6%
 (Identified cost $34,959,423)   ........................        38,942,039(a)
  Cash and receivables, less liabilities--(0.6%)   ......          (235,621)
                                                             ----------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%   ....................................    $   38,706,418
                                                             ================
</TABLE>














(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $3,997,932 and gross
    depreciation of $15,316 for income tax purposes. At June 30, 1997, the
    aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was 
    $34,959,423.
(b) Non-income producing.
(c) Segregated as collateral.

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       42
<PAGE>

                             STRATEGIC THEME SERIES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Assets
Investment securities at value (Identified cost $34,959,423)   ..................   $38,942,039
Cash  ...........................................................................         2,068
Receivables
 Investment securities sold   ...................................................       100,557
 Fund shares sold    ............................................................        35,327
 Interest and dividends    ......................................................         6,570
                                                                                    ------------
  Total assets    ...............................................................    39,086,561
                                                                                    ------------
Liabilities
Payables
 Investment securities purchased    .............................................       250,689
 Options written, at value (Premiums received $33,879)   ........................        55,000
 Investment advisory fee   ......................................................        21,041
 Trustees' fee    ...............................................................         3,316
 Financial agent fee    .........................................................         1,856
 Accrued expenses    ............................................................        48,241
                                                                                    ------------
  Total liabilities  ............................................................       380,143
                                                                                    ------------
Net Assets  .....................................................................   $38,706,418
                                                                                    ============
Net Assets Consist of:
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest  ..............................   $35,452,850
 Undistributed net investment income   ..........................................        34,910
 Accumulated net realized loss   ................................................      (742,837)
 Net unrealized appreciation  ...................................................     3,961,495
                                                                                    ------------
Net Assets  .....................................................................   $38,706,418
                                                                                    ============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization      3,306,693
                                                                                    ============
Net asset value and offering price per share    .................................        $11.71
                                                                                    ============
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
Investment Income
 Interest  ...............................................................    $  192,685
 Dividends    ............................................................        83,591
                                                                              ----------
  Total investment income    .............................................       276,276
                                                                              ----------
Expenses
 Investment advisory fee  ................................................       122,331
 Financial agent fee   ...................................................         9,787
 Printing  ...............................................................        13,694
 Custodian    ............................................................        13,302
 Trustees  ...............................................................        10,131
 Professional    .........................................................         9,200
 Miscellaneous   .........................................................         5,066
                                                                              ----------
  Total expenses    ......................................................       183,511
  Less expense borne by investment adviser  ..............................       (20,402)
                                                                              ----------
  Net expenses   .........................................................       163,109
                                                                              ----------
Net investment income  ...................................................       113,167
                                                                              ----------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
 Net realized loss on securities   .......................................      (304,703)
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments   ...     2,461,480
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on written options         (21,121)
                                                                              ----------
Net gain on investments   ................................................     2,135,656
                                                                              ----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations    ..................    $2,248,823
                                                                              ==========
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       43
<PAGE>


                             STRATEGIC THEME SERIES

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Six Months
                                                                                               Ended        From Inception
                                                                                           June 30, 1997   January 29, 1996
                                                                                            (Unaudited)    December 31, 1996
                                                                                           --------------- ------------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>             <C>
From Operations
 Net investment income  ..................................................................  $    113,167    $       94,091
 Net realized loss   .....................................................................      (304,703)         (438,134)
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    .................................     2,440,359         1,521,136
                                                                                            ------------    --------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations    .................................     2,248,823         1,177,093
                                                                                            ------------    --------------
From Distributions to Shareholders
 Net investment income  ..................................................................       (78,257)          (94,091)
 Tax return of capital  ..................................................................            --           (21,960)
                                                                                            ------------    --------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders  ..............................       (78,257)         (116,051)
                                                                                            ------------    --------------
From Share Transactions
 Proceeds from sales of shares (1,281,362 and 3,425,481 shares, respectively)    .........    14,357,970        36,431,726
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions (7,140 and 10,456
shares,
  respectively)   ........................................................................        79,597           116,051
 Cost of shares repurchased (347,302 and 1,070,444 shares, respectively)   ...............    (3,873,724)      (11,636,810)
                                                                                            ------------    --------------
 Increase in net assets from share transactions    .......................................    10,563,843        24,910,967
                                                                                            ------------    --------------
 Net increase in net assets   ............................................................    12,734,409        25,972,009
Net Assets
 Beginning of period    ..................................................................    25,972,009                 0
                                                                                            ------------    --------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $34,910 and $0,
 respectively)    ........................................................................  $ 38,706,418    $   25,972,009
                                                                                            ============    ==============
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Six Months
                                                    Ended         From Inception
                                                   6/30/97         1/29/96 to
                                                 (Unaudited)        12/31/96
                                                 --------------   ---------------
<S>                                              <C>              <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period    ......   $   10.98        $    10.00
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income   .....................        0.04(2)           0.04(2)
 Net realized and unrealized gain    .........        0.72              0.99
                                                 ---------        ----------
  Total from investment operations   .........        0.76              1.03
                                                 ---------        ----------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income   ......       (0.03)            (0.04)
 Tax return of capital   .....................          --             (0.01)
                                                 ---------        ----------
  Total distributions    .....................       (0.03)            (0.05)
                                                 ---------        ----------
Change in net asset value   ..................        0.73              0.98
                                                 ---------        ----------
Net asset value, end of period    ............   $   11.71        $    10.98
                                                 =========        ==========
Total return    ..............................        6.85%(3)         10.33%(3)
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   ......   $  38,706        $   25,972
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses   ........................        1.00%(1)          1.00%(1)
 Net investment income   .....................        0.69%(1)          0.64%(1)
Portfolio turnover rate  .....................         336%(3)           391%(3)
Average commission rate paid(4)   ............   $  0.0589        $   0.0587
</TABLE>

(1) Annualized
(2) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of $0.01
    and $0.02 per share, respectively.
(3) Not annualized
(4) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal
    basis.


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       44
<PAGE>


                            ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES

INVESTMENT REVIEW

     For the last six months, the Edge Aberdeen New Asia Series returned 1.62%.
During this same period, its benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital
International AC Asia Pacific ex Japan Index,* returned 3.07%. All performance
figures assume reinvestment of dividends and exclude the effect of sales
charges.

     Our underperformance can be attributed primarily to our underweighting in
Taiwan and our overweighted position in Thailand. While the Far East overall
has continued to grow at a steady rate of around 7%, it is perhaps best to
focus on the successes and failures of the year to obtain a clearer picture of
the future. The biggest disappointment among the markets has been Thailand.
While the country's weak government has been problematic, it has also resulted
in a strong private sector. The economy has suffered a slowdown in exports and
excesses in the property sector, aggravated by a high interest rate environment
designed to support the baht.

     While we do not expect any major change in the wake of Hong Kong's
handover to China, we believe current high valuations both for real estate and
stocks do not outweigh the risks. There is widespread belief throughout Asia
that property prices can only rise. As the experience in Thailand shows, this
is not necessarily true. This trend has been restrained in the Philippines, and
we are encouraged by the investment in productive manufacturing assets, which
should enable the country to sustain growth of 6% or over.

     Indonesia is enjoying GDP growth of over 6% and inflation under 6%.
However, political succession is a constant worry, and for this reason, we are
unlikely to increase our weighting. The downturn in the electronics cycle has
had a dramatic affect on Korea and Singapore, countries heavily reliant on
exports of these components.

     Overall, the companies within the portfolio are experiencing 10-15%
earnings growth and in general, price/earnings ratios are the most attractive
they have been for some years, reinforcing our confidence in future
performance.

OUTLOOK

     The economic outlook for the Far East remains as it has been for the last
decade or more. Average real GDP growth is around 7%, economies are generally
well-managed and opportunities for the corporate sector abound. Looking ahead,
we expect the economies of the region to continue to grow strongly over the
next year.

     Our focus will remain on the lesser developed countries, which we feel
offer the greatest long-term growth prospects. We recognize that it is critical
to identify those well-managed companies with the right strategies to prosper
in a dynamic economic environment and, therefore, never invest in a company
without first meeting with its management.













* The Morgan Stanley Capital International AC Asia Pacific ex Japan Index is an
  unmanaged, commonly used measure of total return foreign stock performance,
  excluding Japan.



                                       45
<PAGE>


                           ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES

                            SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SHARES       VALUE
                                                       ----------- ------------
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>
COMMON STOCKS--92.6%
Australia--11.4%
  Australian Gas Light Co. Ltd. (Utility-Gas)   ......      50,000   $   292,179
  Commonwealth Bank of Australia--Instalment
    Receipt (Banks)  .................................      25,000       218,104
  Davids Ltd. (Retail)  ..............................     300,000       260,713
  Pacific BBA Ltd. (Miscellaneous)  ..................     110,000       412,047
  QBE Insurance Group Ltd. (Insurance)    ............      90,000       539,407
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,722,450
                                                                    ------------
Hong Kong--22.7%
  CDL Hotels International Ltd. (Hotels)  ............     700,000       284,619
  Giordano International Ltd. (Retail)    ............     400,000       273,647
  HSBC Holdings PLC (Banks)   ........................      24,800       745,870
  Hongkong Electric Holdings Ltd.
    (Utility-Electric)  ..............................     110,000       442,999
  Manhattan Card Company Ltd.
    (Diversified Financial Services)   ...............     650,000       295,752
  National Mutual Asia Ltd. (Insurance)   ............     450,000       499,535
  Smartone Telecommunications
    (Utility-Telephone) (b)   ........................     175,000       397,563
  Swire Pacific Ltd. Class B (Miscellaneous)    ......     330,000       500,503
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,440,488
                                                                    ------------
India--6.3%
  Grasim Industries Ltd. Sponsored GDR 144A
    (Basic Materials) (c)  ...........................      22,600       316,400
  Industrial Credit & Investment Corporation of
    India Ltd. Sponsored GDR (Diversified
    Financial Services) (b)   ........................      45,000       646,875
                                                                    ------------
                                                                         963,275
                                                                    ------------
Indonesia--8.1%
  PT Bank Bali (Banks)  ..............................     185,000       494,551
  PT Duta Anggada Realty (Property)    ...............     200,000       193,296
  PT Indosat (Utility-Telephone) .....................     180,000       538,556
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,226,403
                                                                    ------------
Malaysia--8.3%
  AMMB Holdings Berhad
    (Diversified Financial Services)   ...............      50,000       311,014
  Malaysian Oxygen Berhad (Chemical)   ...............      80,000       405,705
  Muhibbah Engineering Berhad (Engineering &
    Construction)    .................................      65,000       213,748
  Sime UEP Properties Berhad (Property)   ............     153,000       330,369
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,260,836
                                                                    ------------
New Zealand--2.8%
  Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Ltd.
    (Utility-Telephone)    ...........................      85,000       432,057
                                                                    ------------
Philippines--7.1%
  Ayala Land, Inc. Class B (Property)  ...............     575,000       528,653
  Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.
    Sponsored ADR (Utility-Telephone)  ...............       8,500       546,125
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,074,778
                                                                    ------------
Singapore--10.1%
  Clipsal Industries Ltd. (Electrical Equipment)   ...     100,000       354,000
  Development Bank of Singapore Ltd. (Banks)  ........      25,000       314,729
  Robinson & Co. Ltd. (Retail)   .....................      90,000       468,947
  Rothmans Industries Ltd. (Tobacco)   ...............      75,000       390,789
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,528,465
                                                                    ------------


                                                         SHARES       VALUE
                                                       ----------- ------------
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>
South Korea--5.6%
  Korea Electric Power Corp. Sponsored ADR
    (Utility-Electric)  ..............................      24,000   $   440,250
  Samsung Electronics Sponsored GDR 144A
    Non-Voting Shares (Electronics) (c)   ............      15,248       411,696
                                                                    ------------
                                                                         851,946
                                                                    ------------
Taiwan--2.2%
  Standard Foods Taiwan Ltd. GDR
    (Retail-Food) (b)   ..............................      35,000       335,125
                                                                    ------------
Thailand--8.0%
  Bangkok Bank Public Company Ltd. (Banks)   .........      40,000       274,850
  Ruam Pattana Fund II (Closed End Mutual
    Fund)   ..........................................   1,250,000       376,375
  Siam Cement Public Co. Ltd. (Building &
    Construction)    .................................      13,500       233,468
  Siam Commercial Bank Public Co. Ltd.
    (Banks)    .......................................      80,000       327,350
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,212,043
                                                                    ------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
  (Identified cost $13,960,794)  .................................    14,047,866
                                                                    ------------
WARRANTS--0.1%
Malaysia--0.1%
  AMMB Holdings Berhad Warrants (Banks) (b)  .........       6,000         8,082
                                                                    ------------
TOTAL WARRANTS
  (Identified cost $0)  ..........................................         8,082
                                                                    ------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    STANDARD        PAR
                                    & POOR'S       VALUE
                                    RATING         (000)
                                    ----------   -------------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>               <C>
CONVERTIBLE BONDS--0.1%
Malaysia--0.1%
  AMMB Holdings Berhad (ICULS)
    Cv. 7.50%, '02 (Banks)   ......   NR            $    60(d)            21,514
                                                                    -------------
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS
  (Identified cost $24,024)   .................................           21,514
                                                                    -------------
NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--0.1%
Malaysia--0.1%
  AMMB Holdings Berhad 5%, '02
    (Banks)   .....................   NR                 60(d)            20,325
                                                                    -------------
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS
  (Identified cost $24,024)....................................           20,325
                                                                    -------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--92.9%
  (Identified cost $14,008,842)  ..............................       14,097,787
                                                                    -------------
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--7.2%
  Brown Brothers Harriman repurchase
     agreement, 5.50%, dated 6/30/97 due
     7/1/97, repurchase price $1,100,168,
     collateralized by U.S. Treasury Note
     5.875%, 2/28/99, market value $1,100,000          1,100           1,100,000
                                                                    -------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS
  (Identified cost $1,100,000).................................        1,100,000
                                                                    -------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--100.1%
  (Identified cost $15,108,842)  ..............................       15,197,787(a)
  Cash and receivables, less liabilities--(0.1%)   ............          (19,079)
                                                                    -------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%   ..........................................     $ 15,178,708
                                                                    =============
</TABLE>

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $1,341,350 and gross
    depreciation of $1,273,870 for income tax purposes. At June 30, 1997 the
    aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was
    $15,130,307.
(b) Non-income producing.
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of
    1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from
    registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 1997,
    these securities amounted to a value of $728,096 or 4.8% of net assets.
(d) Par value represents Malaysian Ringgits.

                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       46
<PAGE>


                            ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES

                            INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION
         As a Percentage of Total Value of Total Long-Term Investments
                                  (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
Banks    ..............................      17.1%
Basic Materials   .....................       2.2
Building & Construction    ............       1.7
Chemical    ...........................       2.9
Closed End Mutual Fund  ...............       2.7
Diversified Financial Services   ......       8.9
Electrical Equipment    ...............       2.5
Electronics    ........................       2.9
Engineering & Construction    .........       1.5
Hotels   ..............................       2.0
Insurance   ...........................       7.4
Miscellaneous  ........................       6.5
Property    ...........................       7.5
Retail   ..............................       7.1
Retail-Food ...........................       2.4
Tobacco  ..............................       2.8
Utility-Electric  .....................       6.2
Utility-Gas    ........................       2.1
Utility-Telephone    ..................      13.6
                                           ------
                                            100.0%
                                           ======
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       47
<PAGE>


                            ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Assets
Investment securities at value (Identified cost $15,108,842)   ..................   $15,197,787
Cash  ...........................................................................        81,716
Receivables
 Investment securities sold   ...................................................       103,868
 Fund shares sold    ............................................................        28,892
 Dividends and interest    ......................................................        25,337
 Tax reclaim   ..................................................................           340
                                                                                    ------------
  Total assets    ...............................................................    15,437,940
                                                                                    ------------
Liabilities
Payables
 Investment securities purchased    .............................................       217,141
 Investment advisory fee   ......................................................         7,648
 Financial agent fee    .........................................................         2,092
 Trustees' fee    ...............................................................         3,596
 Accrued expenses    ............................................................        28,755
                                                                                    ------------
  Total liabilities  ............................................................       259,232
                                                                                    ------------
Net Assets  .....................................................................   $15,178,708
                                                                                    ============
Net Assets Consist of:
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest  ..............................   $14,962,521
 Undistributed net investment income   ..........................................        75,464
 Accumulated net realized gain   ................................................        51,807
 Net unrealized appreciation  ...................................................        88,916
                                                                                    ------------
Net Assets  .....................................................................   $15,178,708
                                                                                    ============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization      1,502,474
                                                                                    ============
Net asset value and offering price per share    .................................        $10.10
                                                                                    ============
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                          <C>
Investment Income
 Dividends  ..............................................................................    $  164,246
 Interest   ..............................................................................        29,519
 Foreign taxes withheld    ...............................................................       (11,089)
                                                                                              ----------
  Total investment income  ...............................................................       182,676
                                                                                              ----------
Expenses
 Investment advisory fee   ...............................................................        66,215
 Financial agent fee    ..................................................................         3,973
 Custodian  ..............................................................................        26,588
 Trustees' fee    ........................................................................         9,597
 Printing   ..............................................................................         9,582
 Professional  ...........................................................................         8,486
 Miscellaneous    ........................................................................         2,374
                                                                                              ----------
  Total expenses  ........................................................................       126,815
  Less expenses borne by investment adviser  .............................................       (44,046)
                                                                                              ----------
  Net expenses    ........................................................................        82,769
                                                                                              ----------
Net investment income   ..................................................................        99,907
                                                                                              ----------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
 Net realized gain on securities    ......................................................        54,192
 Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions   ....................................        (1,657)
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments    ..................       111,496
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency and foreign                 
  currency transactions    ...............................................................            22
                                                                                              ----------
Net gain on investments    ...............................................................       164,053
                                                                                              ----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  ....................................    $  263,960
                                                                                              ==========
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       48
<PAGE>


                            ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Six Months
                                                                                           Ended            From Inception
                                                                                        June 30, 1997     September 17, 1996 to
                                                                                        (Unaudited)        December 31, 1996
                                                                                        ---------------   ----------------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>               <C>
From Operations
 Net investment income   ............................................................    $     99,907         $     58,378
 Net realized gain    ...............................................................          52,535                3,328
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  ..............................         111,518              (22,602)
                                                                                         ------------         ------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  ..............................         263,960               39,104
                                                                                         ------------         ------------
From Distributions to Shareholders
 Net investment income   ............................................................         (20,499)             (58,378)
 Net realized gains   ...............................................................          (7,488)                  --
 In excess of net investment income  ................................................              --                 (512)
                                                                                         ------------         ------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders   ........................         (27,987)             (58,890)
                                                                                         ------------         ------------
From Share Transactions
 Proceeds from sales of shares (585,361 and 1,343,657 shares, respectively)    ......       5,776,921           13,400,256
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions (2,845 and 5,928
  shares, respectively)  ............................................................          27,986               58,890
 Cost of shares repurchased (248,382 and 186,935 shares, respectively)   ............      (2,447,378)          (1,854,154)
                                                                                         ------------         ------------
 Increase in net assets from share transactions  ....................................       3,357,529           11,604,992
                                                                                         ------------         ------------
 Net increase in net assets    ......................................................       3,593,502           11,585,206
Net Assets
 Beginning of period  ...............................................................      11,585,206                    0
                                                                                         ------------         ------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income and distributions in
  excess of net investment income of $75,464 and ($3,944), respectively) ............    $ 15,178,708         $ 11,585,206
                                                                                         ============         ============
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Six Months
                                                       Ended         From Inception
                                                      6/30/97         9/17/96 to
                                                    (Unaudited)        12/31/96
                                                    --------------   ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period    .........   $    9.96         $   10.00
Income from investment operations
 Net investment income   ........................        0.07(1)           0.05(1)
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   ......        0.10             (0.04)
                                                    ---------         ---------
  Total from investment operations   ............        0.17              0.01
                                                    ---------         ---------
Less distributions
 Dividends from net investment income   .........       (0.02)            (0.05)
 Dividends from net realized gains   ............       (0.01)               --
                                                    ---------         ---------
  Total distributions    ........................       (0.03)            (0.05)
                                                    ---------         ---------
Change in net asset value   .....................        0.14             (0.04)
                                                    ---------         ---------
Net asset value, end of period    ...............   $   10.10         $    9.96
                                                    =========         =========
Total return    .................................        1.62%(3)          0.16%(3)
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   .........   $  15,179         $  11,585
Ratio to average net assets of:
 Operating expenses   ...........................        1.25%(2)          1.25%(2)
 Net investment income   ........................        1.51%(2)          2.40%(2)
Portfolio turnover rate  ........................           6%(3)             2%(3)
Average commission rate paid(4)   ...............   $  0.0098         $  0.0109
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of $0.03
    and $0.03 per share, respectively.
(2) Annualized
(3) Not annualized
(4) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal
    basis.


                       See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       49
<PAGE>


                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  June 30, 1997
                                   (Unaudited)

Note 1--Organization
  The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (the "Fund") is organized as a Massachusetts
  business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
  as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The Fund is
  comprised of the Money Market, Growth, Multi-Sector Fixed Income, Strategic
  Allocation (formerly Total Return), International, Balanced, Real Estate
  Securities ("Real Estate"), Strategic Theme and Aberdeen New Asia Series.
  The Fund was established as part of the December 8, 1986 reorganization of
  the Phoenix Home Life Variable Accumulation Account (the Account) from a
  management investment company to a unit investment trust under the
  Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund is organized with Series which are
  available only to the sub-accounts of the Phoenix Home Life Variable
  Accumulation Account, the Phoenix Home Life Variable Universal Life Account,
  the PHL Variable Accumulation Account, and the Phoenix Home Life Separate
  Accounts B, C, and D.

  Each Series has distinct investment objectives. The Money Market Series
  seeks to provide maximum current income consistent with capital preservation
  and liquidity. The Growth Series seeks to achieve intermediate and long-term
  growth of capital, with income as a secondary consideration. The
  Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series seeks to provide long-term total return by
  investing in a diversified portfolio of high yield and high quality fixed
  income securities. The Strategic Allocation Series seeks to realize as high
  a level of total rate of return over an extended period of time as is
  considered consistent with prudent investment risk by investing in three
  market segments; stocks, bonds and money market instruments. The
  International Series seeks as its investment objective a high total return
  consistent with reasonable risk by investing primarily in an internationally
  diversified portfolio of equity securities. The Balanced Series seeks to
  provide reasonable income, long-term growth and conservation of capital. The
  Real Estate Series seeks to achieve capital appreciation and income with
  approximately equal emphasis through investments in real estate investment
  trusts and companies that operate, manage, develop or invest in real estate.
  The Strategic Theme Series seeks long-term appreciation of capital by
  investing in securities that the adviser believes are well positioned to
  benefit from cultural, demographic, regulatory, social or technological
  changes worldwide. The Aberdeen New Asia Series seeks to provide long-term
  capital appreciation by investing primarily in diversified equity securities
  of issuers organized and principally operating in Asia, excluding Japan.

Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies
  The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
  followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The
  preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
  accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
  that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and
  expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

A. Security Valuation
  Equity securities are valued at the last sale price, or if there had been no
  sale that day, at the last bid price. Debt securities are valued on the
  basis of broker quotations or valuations provided by a pricing service which
  utilizes information with respect to recent sales, market transactions in
  comparable securities, quotations from dealers, and various relationships
  between securities in determining value. Short-term investments having a
  remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost which
  approximates market. All other securities and assets are valued at their
  fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the
  Trustees.

  The Money Market Series uses the amortized cost method of security valuation
  which, in the opinion of the Trustees, represents the fair value of the
  particular security. The Trustees monitor the deviations between the Series'
  net asset value per share as determined by using available market quotations
  and its amortized cost per share. If the deviation exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the
  Board of Trustees will consider what action, if any, should be initiated to
  provide fair valuation. The Series attempts to maintain a constant net asset
  value of $10 per share.

B. Security Transactions and Related Income
  Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Interest income is
  recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the
  ex-dividend date, or in the case of certain foreign securities, as soon as
  the Fund is notified. The Fund does not amortize premiums except for the
  Money Market Series, but does amortize discounts using the effective
  interest method. Realized gains and losses are determined on the identified
  cost basis.

C. Income Taxes
  Each of the Series is treated as a separate taxable entity. It is the policy
  of each Series to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code,
  applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute
  substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. In addition,
  each Series intends to distribute an amount sufficient to avoid imposition
  of any excise tax under Section 4982 of the Code. Therefore, no provision
  for federal income taxes or excise taxes has been made.

D. Distributions to Shareholders
  Distributions are recorded by each Series on the ex-dividend date and all
  distributions are reinvested into the Fund. Income and capital gain
  distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which
  may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These differences
  include the treatment of non-taxable dividends, expiring capital loss
  carryforwards, foreign currency gain/loss, partnerships, and losses deferred
  due to wash sales and excise tax regulations. Permanent book and tax basis
  differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in
  reclassifications to paid in capital.


                                       50
<PAGE>


                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
                                  June 30, 1997
                                   (Unaudited)

E. Foreign Currency Translation
  Foreign securities and other assets and liabilities are valued using the
  foreign currency exchange rate effective at the end of the reporting period.
  Cost of investments is translated at the currency exchange rate effective at
  the trade date. The gain or loss resulting from a change in currency
  exchange rates between the trade and settlement dates of a portfolio
  transaction is treated as a gain or loss on foreign currency. Likewise, the
  gain or loss resulting from a change in currency exchange rates between the
  date income is accrued and paid is treated as a gain or loss on foreign
  currency. The Trust does not separate that portion of the results of
  operations arising from changes in exchange rates and that portion arising
  from changes in the market prices of securities.

F. Forward Currency Contracts
  Each Series may enter into forward currency contracts in conjunction with
  the planned purchase or sale of foreign denominated securities in order to
  hedge the U.S. dollar cost or proceeds. Forward currency contracts involve,
  to varying degrees, elements of market risk in excess of the amount
  recognized in the statement of assets and liabilities. Risks arise from the
  possible movements in foreign exchange rates or if the counterparty does not
  perform under the contract.

  A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a
  specific currency at a future date, which may be any number of days from the
  date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time
  of the contract. These contracts are traded directly between currency
  traders and their customers. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the
  change in market value is recorded by the Series as an unrealized gain (or
  loss). When the contract is closed or offset with the same counterparty, the
  Series records a realized gain (or loss) equal to the change in the value of
  the contract when it was opened and the value at the time it was closed or
  offset.

G. Futures Contracts
  A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a
  security at a set price on a future date. A Series may enter into financial
  futures contracts as a hedge against anticipated changes in the market value
  of their portfolio securities. Upon entering into a futures contract, the
  Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash and/or
  securities equal to the "initial margin" requirements of the futures
  exchange on which the contract is traded. Pursuant to the contract, the
  Series agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal
  to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or
  payments are known as variation margins and are recorded by the Series as
  unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed, the Series records
  a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the
  contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
  The potential risk to the Series is that the change in value of the futures
  contract may not correspond to the change in value of the hedged
  instruments.

H. Options
  Each Series may write covered options or purchase options contracts for the
  purpose of hedging against changes in the market value of the underlying
  securities or foreign currencies.

  Each Series will realize a gain or loss upon the expiration or closing of
  the option transaction. Gains and losses on written options are reported
  separately in the Statement of Operations. When a written option is
  exercised, the proceeds on sales or amounts paid are adjusted by the amount
  of premium received. Options written are reported as a liability in the
  Statement of Assets and Liabilities and subsequently marked to market to
  reflect the current value of the option. The risk associated with written
  options is that the change in value of options contracts may not correspond
  to the change in value of the hedged instruments. In addition, losses may
  arise from changes in the value of the underlying instruments, or if a
  liquid secondary market does not exist for the contracts.

  Each Series may purchase options which are included in the Series' Schedule
  of Investments and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current
  value of the option. When a purchased option is exercised, the cost of the
  security is adjusted by the amount of premium paid. The risk associated with
  purchased options is limited to the premium paid.

I. Trust Expenses
  Expenses incurred by the Fund with respect to any two or more Series are
  allocated in proportion to the net assets of each Series, except where
  allocation of direct expense to each Series or an alternative allocation
  method can be more fairly made.

J. Credit Risk
  In countries with limited or developing markets, investments may present
  greater risks than in more developed markets and the prices of such
  investments may be volatile. The consequences of political, social or
  economic changes in these markets may have disruptive effects on the market
  prices of these investments and the income they generate, as well as a
  fund's ability to repatriate such amounts.

K. When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions
  Each Series may engage in when-issued or delayed delivery transactions. The
  Series record when-issued securities on the trade date and maintain
  collateral for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a
  when-issued or delayed delivery basis begin earning interest on the
  settlement date.


                                       51
<PAGE>


                         THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)

L. Repurchase Agreements
  A repurchase agreement is a transaction where a Series acquires a security
  for cash and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller to repurchase
  the security at an agreed upon price and date. The Series, through its
  custodian, takes possession of securities collateralizing the repurchase
  agreement. The collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the
  market value of the underlying assets remains sufficient to protect the
  Series in the event of default by the seller. If the seller defaults and the
  value of the collateral declines or, if the seller enters insolvency
  proceedings, realization of collateral may be delayed or limited.

Note 3--Investment Advisory Fees and Related Party Transactions
  As compensation for its advisory services to the Fund, Phoenix Investment
  Counsel, Inc. ("PIC"), an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Phoenix Home
  Life Mutual Insurance Company ("PHL") is entitled to a fee, based upon the
  following annual rates as a percentage of the average daily net assets of
  each separate Series listed below:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Rate for first     Rate for next     Rate for excess
Series                                 $250 million       $250 million      over $500 million
- ------------------------------------   ----------------   ---------------   ------------------
<S>                                    <C>                <C>               <C>
  Money Market    ..................       0.40%             0.35%               0.30%
  Multi-Sector Fixed Income   ......       0.50               0.45               0.40
  Balanced  ........................       0.55               0.50               0.45
  Strategic Allocation  ............       0.60               0.55               0.50
  Growth    ........................       0.70               0.65               0.60
  International   ..................       0.75               0.70               0.65
  Strategic Theme ..................       0.75               0.70               0.65
</TABLE>

  The investment adviser for the Real Estate Series is Phoenix Realty
  Securities, Inc. ("PRS"). PRS is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of
  PHL. For its services, PRS is entitled to a fee at an annual rate of 0.75%
  of the average daily net assets for the first $1 billion. Pursuant to a
  Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Series, PRS delegates certain investment
  decisions and research functions to ABKB/LaSalle Securities Limited
  Partnership ("ABKB") for which ABKB is paid a fee by PRS equal to 0.45% of
  the average daily net assets of the Real Estate Series for the first $1
  billion.

  Phoenix-Aberdeen International Advisors, LLC ("PAIA") serves as the
  investment adviser to the Aberdeen New Asia Series. PAIA is a joint venture
  between PM Holdings, Inc., a direct subsidiary of PHL, and Aberdeen Fund
  Managers, Inc. ("Aberdeen"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aberdeen Trust
  PLC. PAIA is entitled to a fee, at an annual rate of 1.00% of the average
  daily net assets of the Aberdeen New Asia Series. Pursuant to Sub-advisory
  agreements, PAIA delegates certain investment decisions and functions to
  other entities. PIC receives a fee of 0.30% of the average daily net assets
  of the Aberdeen New Asia Series from PAIA for providing research and other
  domestic advisory services, as needed. In addition, PAIA also pays a
  sub-advisory fee to Aberdeen of 0.40% of the average daily net assets of the
  Aberdeen New Asia Series for implementing certain portfolio transactions and
  providing research and other services.

  Each Series (except the International, Real Estate, Strategic Theme and
  Aberdeen New Asia Series) pays a portion or all of its other operating
  expenses (not including management fee, interest, taxes, brokerage fees and
  commissions), up to 0.15% of its average net assets. The International, Real
  Estate, Strategic Theme and Aberdeen New Asia Series pay other operating
  expenses up to 0.40%, 0.25%, 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, of its average
  net assets. Expenses above these limits are paid by the Advisers, PIC, PRS,
  PAIA and/or PHL and/or PHL Variable Insurance Company.

  As Financial Agent to the Fund and to each Series, Phoenix Equity Planning
  Corporation ("PEPCO") receives a fee at an annual rate of 0.06% of the
  average daily net assets of each Series for bookkeeping, administrative and
  pricing services.

  At June 30, 1997, PHL and affiliates held shares in the Phoenix Edge Series
  Fund and/or in the underlying unit investment trusts which had the following
  aggregate value:


<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
  Growth Series  ..................     $7,522,072
  Real Estate Series   ............      7,693,097
  Strategic Theme Series  .........      2,572,136
  Aberdeen New Asia Series   ......      3,019,905
</TABLE>


                                       52
<PAGE>


                         THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
                                 June 30, 1997
                                  (Unaudited)

Note 4--Purchases and Sales of Securities

  Purchases and sales of securities during the six months ended June 30, 1997
  (excluding U.S. Government and agency securities, short-term securities,
  options and forward currency contracts) aggregated the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Purchases           Sales
                                              ----------------   ---------------
<S>                                           <C>                <C>
  Growth Series    ........................     $2,163,752,829     $2,236,130,828
  Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series   ......         93,356,800         69,187,574
  Strategic Allocation Series  ............        621,240,071        657,164,018
  International Series   ..................        142,106,374        123,535,335
  Balanced Series  ........................        145,273,897        163,898,779
  Real Estate Series  .....................         16,657,755          1,913,367
  Strategic Theme Series    ...............         89,446,361         85,084,464
  Aberdeen New Asia Series  ...............          4,058,739            781,016
</TABLE>

  There were no purchases or sales of such securities in the Money Market
  Series.

  Purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government and agency securities
  during the six months ended June 30, 1997 aggregated the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Purchases         Sales
                                              --------------   ------------
<S>                                           <C>              <C>
  Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series   ......     $ 57,663,042     $64,496,161
  Strategic Allocation Series  ............      103,651,416      74,134,244
  Balanced Series  ........................       13,255,047      10,157,884
</TABLE>

  There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government and agency
  securities in the Money Market, Growth, International, Real Estate,
  Strategic Theme or Aberdeen New Asia Series.

  At June 30, 1997, the following Series had outstanding written call
  options:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Shares          Expiration     Exercise     Market
  Balanced Series:                                 Subject to Call       Date          Price       Value
  ----------------                                -----------------   ------------   ----------   ---------
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>            <C>          <C>
  Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.    ..................         8,000           7/97            $ 80        $ 26,000
  Colgate-Palmolive Co.    .....................        20,000           7/97              70           1,250
  Eli Lilly & Co.    ...........................         8,200           7/97             105          48,175
  Intel Corp.  .................................         3,800           7/97             180             238
  International Business Machines Corp.   ......         9,000           7/97              90          27,000
  PepsiCo, Inc.   ..............................        28,000           7/97              40           7,000
  Procter & Gamble Co.  ........................         6,000           7/97             150           2,625
  T. Rowe Price Associates    ..................        10,000           7/97              55          10,000
                                                                                                    ---------
                                                                                                     $122,288
                                                                                                    =========
  Strategic Theme Series:
  -----------------------
  Dell Computer Corp.   ........................         4,000           8/97             110        $ 55,000
                                                                                                    =========
</TABLE>


                                       53
<PAGE>


                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
                                  June 30, 1997
                                   (Unaudited)

Written call option activity for the six months ended June 30, 1997
aggregated the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Strategic Allocation Series
                                                       -----------------------------
                                                          # of          Amount
                                                         Options      of Premiums
                                                       ------------ ----------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
  Options outstanding at December 31, 1996   .........        --    $          --
  Options written    .................................     5,299        1,543,694
  Options cancelled in closing purchase transactions      (5,149)      (1,503,833)
  Options expired    .................................        --               --
  Options exercised  .................................      (150)         (39,861)
                                                        --------    --------------
  Options outstanding at June 30, 1997    ............        --    $          --
                                                        ========    ==============



<CAPTION>
                                                           Balanced Series     Strategic Theme Series
                                                       ----------------------- ----------------------
                                                         # of       Amount       # of      Amount
                                                       Options   of Premiums   Options   of Premiums
                                                       --------- ------------- --------- ------------
<S>                                                    <C>       <C>           <C>       <C>
  Options outstanding at December 31, 1996   .........     --    $       --       --       $    --
  Options written    .................................    967       138,688       40        33,879
  Options cancelled in closing purchase transactions      (37)      (12,950)      --            --
  Options expired    .................................     --            --       --            --
  Options exercised  .................................     --            --       --            --
                                                        -----    -----------      ---      --------
  Options outstanding at June 30, 1997    ............    930    $  120,536       40       $33,879
                                                        =====    ===========      ===      ========
</TABLE>

Note 5--Forward Currency Contracts

  At June 30, 1997, the International Series had entered into various forward
  currency contracts which contractually obligate the Series to deliver
  currencies at specified dates. Open short contracts were as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           In                                                      Net
  Contracts             Exchange           Settlement                          Unrealized
  to Deliver               For                Date             Value          Appreciation
- ---------------      ---------------       ----------       -----------       ------------

<S>                  <C>                     <C>            <C>                 <C>
FL   20,000,000      US   10,400,957         8/1/97         $10,201,830         $199,127
                                                                                ========

</TABLE>

FL  =  Dutch Florin
US  =  U.S. Dollar


Note 6--Capital Loss Carryovers

  At December 31, 1996, the Strategic Theme Series had available for federal
  income tax purposes unused capital losses of $396,065 expiring in 2003.

  Under current tax law, capital losses realized after October 31, 1996 may be
  deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following tax
  year. For the calendar year ended December 31, 1996, the Growth and Aberdeen
  New Asia Series elected to defer $613 and $1,755, respectively, in losses
  occurring between November 1, 1996 and December 31, 1996.


                                       54
<PAGE>


THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND 
101 Munson Street
Greenfield, Massachusetts 01301


Board of Trustees
C. Duane Blinn
Robert Chesek
E. Virgil Conway
Harry Dalzell-Payne
Francis E. Jeffries
Leroy Keith, Jr.
Philip R. McLoughlin
Everett L. Morris
James M. Oates
Calvin J. Pedersen
Philip R. Reynolds
Herbert Roth, Jr.
Richard E. Segerson
Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.


Officers
Philip R. McLoughlin, President
Michael E. Haylon, Executive Vice President
David R. Pepin, Executive Vice President
William J. Newman, Senior Vice President
James D. Wehr, Senior Vice President
Hugh Young, Senior Vice President
Curtiss O. Barrows, Vice President
Mary E. Canning, Vice President
Jeanne H. Dorey, Vice President
Jean Claude Gruet, Vice President
William E. Keen, III, Vice President
David Lui, Vice President
William R. Moyer, Vice President
Scott C. Noble, Vice President
C. Edwin Riley, Jr., Vice President
Barbara Rubin, Vice President
Leonard J. Saltiel, Vice President
Julie L. Sapia, Vice President
Nancy G. Curtiss, Treasurer
G. Jeffrey Bohne, Secretary

Investment Advisers
Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc.
56 Prospect Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06115-0480


Phoenix Realty Securities, Inc.
(Real Estate Securities Series)
38 Prospect Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06115-0479


Phoenix-Aberdeen International Advisors, LLC
(Aberdeen New Asia Series)
56 Prospect Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06115-0480


Custodians
The Chase Manhattan Bank
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
Floor 3B
New York, New York 10081


Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
(Aberdeen New Asia Series and International Series)
40 Water Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109


State Street Bank and Trust Company
(Real Estate Securities Series)
P.O. Box 351
Boston, Massachusetts 02101


Transfer Agent
Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation
100 Bright Meadow Boulevard
P.O. Box 2200
Enfield, Connecticut 06083-2200








- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in The
Phoenix Edge Series Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective
Prospectus which includes information concerning the Fund's Record and other
pertinent information.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>





                                  ANNUAL REPORT
                                DECEMBER 31, 1996
                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND



                                       2-1

<PAGE>

                             MONEY MARKET SERIES 

  Over the last twelve months, Phoenix Edge Money Market Series continued to 
produce strong results for its shareholders. As of December 31, 1996, the 
current yield on the Fund was 4.97%, versus the 4.82% seven-day average yield 
of taxable money market funds reported by IBC Donoghue's Money Market Report. 
The current yield is a seven-day annualized yield computed by dividing the 
average net income earned per share during the seven-day period preceding the 
date of calculation by the average daily net asset value per share for the 
same period, with the resulting figure multiplied by 365. 

  Shifting market opinion over the direction of the U.S. economy was 
responsible for much of the volatility in short-term interest rates during 
this latest twelve-month reporting period. In January, the Central Bank cut 
the Fed Funds Rate from 5.50% to 5.25% in an effort to stimulate what was 
believed to be a sluggish economy. Although it was widely anticipated that 
the Federal Reserve would have to lower rates again, a surprisingly strong 
February employment report provided conflicting evidence about the economy's 
health. As more data became available, it became evident that the economy had 
grown robustly during the first half of 1996. During this period, short-term 
interest rates moved higher as the financial markets had to consider the 
threat of future inflation. 

  By late summer, the consensus view on Wall Street shifted once again as 
signs of more moderate economic growth became increasingly apparent and 
concerns over inflation declined. With the exception of the last few weeks in 
December, short-term interest rates trended lower for the remainder of this 
reporting period. In the end, despite all these market gyrations during 1996, 
the 90-day Treasury bill finished the year yielding 5.19%--only 12 basis 
points higher than where it stood one year ago. 

  Looking ahead, the Fund continues to focus on high-quality assets as 
represented by the portfolio's average credit quality of A1/P1 as of December 
31, 1996. In terms of our asset allocation strategy, we are currently 
emphasizing top-tier commercial paper, variable-rate instruments and U.S. 
Government obligations. As always, we remain committed to carefully 
monitoring the short-term markets for attractive investment opportunities. 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DESCRIPTION OF LINE CHART]

MONTHLY YIELD COMPARISON

                        IBC Donoghue                 Money
                     Money Fund Report*          Market Series
1/31/96                    5.03                      5.01
2/29/96                    4.8                       4.82
3/31/96                    4.69                      4.77
4/30/96                    4.68                      4.77
5/31/96                    4.67                      4.78
6/30/96                    4.7                       4.86
7/31/96                    4.73                      4.86
8/31/96                    4.74                      4.75
9/30/96                    4.75                      4.91
10/31/96                   4.75                      4.82
11/30/96                   4.75                      4.84
12/31/96                   4.78                      4.97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The above graph covers the period from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996. 
The results are not indicative of the rate of return which may be realized 
from an investment made in the Money Market Series today. The Money Market 
Series is neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government, and there can 
be no assurance the Series will be able to maintain a stable net asset value 
at $10.00 per share. 

*Average monthly yield of taxable Money Market Funds as reported by IBC 
Donoghue's Money Fund Report. 

                           SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS 
                              December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  FACE 
  VALUE                                                                     INTEREST   MATURITY 
  (000)       DESCRIPTION                                                     RATE        DATE        VALUE 
- ---------  ---------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ----------  -------------
<S>         <C>                                                               <C>      <C>         <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES--3.8% 
U.S. Treasury Bills--1.5% 
$2,000      U.S. Treasury Bills                                               4.80%    02/06/97    $ 1,990,400
                                                                                                  -------------
U.S. Treasury Notes--2.3% 
 3,000      U.S. Treasury Notes                                               6.88     02/28/97      3,008,112
                                                                                                  -------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES                                                                     4,998,512
                                                                                                  -------------
FEDERAL AGENCY SECURITIES--8.6% 
 2,175      Federal National Mortgage Assoc.                                  5.34     02/24/97      2,157,578
 1,500      Federal Home Loan Banks                                           5.27     02/28/97      1,500,000
 4,190      Federal National Mortgage Assoc.                                  5.36     03/27/97      4,136,973
 2,000      Federal Farm Credit Banks                                         5.40     04/01/97      1,999,441
 1,500      Federal Home Loan Banks                                           5.69     11/20/97      1,500,000
                                                                                                  -------------
TOTAL FEDERAL AGENCY SECURITIES                                                                     11,293,992
                                                                                                  -------------
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-2 
<PAGE> 

                             MONEY MARKET SERIES 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   FACE 
  VALUE                                                                     INTEREST     RESET 
  (000)                              DESCRIPTION                              RATE        DATE        VALUE 
- --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------  --------- -----------  ------------- 
<S>         <C>                                                               <C>       <C>        <C>
FEDERAL AGENCY SECURITIES--VARIABLE--12.0% (b) 
$1,500      Federal Farm Credit Banks (final maturity 02/24/97)               5.51%     01/02/97   $ 1,499,957 
 4,500      Federal Farm Credit Banks (final maturity 07/24/00)               5.54      01/02/97     4,501,807 
 1,500      Federal Home Loan Banks (final maturity 01/14/97)                 5.70      01/02/97     1,500,000 
 2,500      Student Loan Marketing Assoc. (final maturity 11/24/97)           5.39      01/07/97     2,500,000 
 1,500      Student Loan Marketing Assoc. (final maturity 11/10/98)           5.41      01/07/97     1,498,532 
 1,000      Student Loan Marketing Assoc. (final maturity 02/22/99)           5.42      01/07/97     1,000,000 
 1,600      Student Loan Marketing Assoc. (final maturity 10/30/97)           5.57      01/07/97     1,600,731 
 1,650      Federal National Mortgage Assoc. (final maturity 12/14/98)        5.18      03/14/97     1,648,237 
                                                                                                   ----------- 
TOTAL FEDERAL AGENCY SECURITIES--VARIABLE                                                           15,749,264 
                                                                                                   ----------- 
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             STANDARD 
  FACE                                                       & POOR'S 
  VALUE                                                       RATING     INTEREST   MATURITY 
  (000)                     DESCRIPTION                    (Unaudited)     RATE       DATE          VALUE 
- -------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------  --------- ----------- --------------- 
<S>        <C>                                               <C>           <C>      <C>         <C>
COMMERCIAL PAPER--74.0% 
 1,500     Campbell Soup Co.                                 A-1+          6.75     01/02/97       1,499,719 
 4,280     Cargill, Inc.                                     A-1+          6.95     01/02/97       4,279,174 
 1,500     AlliedSignal, Inc.                                A-1           6.10     01/03/97       1,499,492 
   725     Abbott Laboratories                               A-1+          5.75     01/07/97         724,305 
 1,940     DuPont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.                    A-1+          5.29     01/09/97       1,937,719 
 2,775     Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.                         A-1+          5.48     01/09/97       2,771,621 
 3,000     Heinz (H.J.) Co.                                  A-1           5.40     01/10/97       2,995,950 
 1,160     Heinz (H.J.) Co.                                  A-1           5.40     01/10/97       1,158,434 
 4,500     Exxon Imperial U.S., Inc.                         A-1+          5.41     01/13/97       4,491,885 
 3,500     Greenwich Funding Corp.                           A-1+          5.60     01/15/97       3,492,378 
 2,500     Receivables Capital Corp.                         A-1           5.73     01/15/97       2,494,429 
 1,500     Preferred Receivables Funding Corp.               A-1           5.35     01/16/97       1,496,656 
 1,500     General Electric Capital Corp.                    A-1+          5.32     01/17/97       1,500,000 
 2,140     Cargill, Inc.                                     A-1+          5.41     01/22/97       2,133,247 
 3,500     General Electric Capital Corp.                    A-1+          5.31     01/22/97       3,500,000 
 2,500     AlliedSignal, Inc.                                A-1           5.47     01/23/97       2,491,643 
 2,335     AlliedSignal, Inc.                                A-1           5.65     01/23/97       2,326,938 
 2,000     Preferred Receivables Funding Corp.               A-1           5.45     01/23/97       1,993,339 
 2,165     Goldman Sachs & Co.                               A-1+          5.45     01/24/97       2,157,462 
   915     Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.                         A-1+          5.33     01/24/97         911,884 
 2,000     Albertson's, Inc.                                 A-1           5.38     01/27/97       1,992,229 
   555     First Deposit Funding Trust                       A-1           5.34     01/30/97         552,613 
   500     United Parcel Service of America, Inc.            A-1+          5.35     01/30/97         497,845 
 1,300     Heinz (H.J.) Co.                                  A-1           5.40     02/03/97       1,293,565 
   450     DuPont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.                    A-1+          5.55     02/07/97         447,433 
   709     Kellogg Co.                                       A-1+          5.37     02/07/97         705,087 
 2,500     Vermont American Corp.                            A-1+          5.47     02/07/97       2,485,945 
 2,500     Private Export Funding Corp.                      A-1+          5.28     02/10/97       2,485,333 
 3,000     CXC, Inc.                                         A-1+          5.35     02/11/97       2,981,721 
 2,230     Corporate Receivables Corp.                       A-1           5.37     02/12/97       2,216,029 
 1,175     First Deposit Funding Trust                       A-1           5.32     02/12/97       1,167,707 
 2,500     Kimberly-Clark Corp.                              A-1+          5.42     02/12/97       2,484,192 
 2,500     Preferred Receivables Funding Corp.               A-1           5.35     02/13/97       2,484,024 
 3,140     Goldman Sachs & Co.                               A-1+          5.35     02/14/97       3,119,468 
 1,500     Kimberly-Clark Corp.                              A-1+          5.42     02/14/97       1,490,063 
 4,500     Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.                   A-1+          5.37     02/18/97       4,467,780 
 1,355     Corporate Receivables Corp.                       A-1           5.35     02/20/97       1,344,932 
 1,500     Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.                   A-1+          5.43     02/25/97       1,487,556 
 2,000     Greenwich Funding Corp.                           A-1+          5.47     02/28/97       1,982,374 
   619     Greenwich Funding Corp.                           A-1+          5.35     03/03/97         613,389 
 4,500     Bellsouth Telecommunications, Inc.                A-1+          5.34     03/04/97       4,458,615 
 2,100     CXC, Inc.                                         A-1+          5.32     03/17/97       2,076,725 
 3,000     Asset Securitization Cooperative Corp.            A-1+          5.37     03/27/97       2,961,963 
 3,700     Receivables Capital Corp.                         A-1           5.39     05/01/97       3,633,523 
 1,000     CXC, Inc.                                         A-1+          5.35     05/15/97         980,086 
 1,000     Beta Finance, Inc.                                A-1+          5.80     08/14/97       1,000,000 
                                                                                                ------------
TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER                                                                            97,266,472
                                                                                                ------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--98.4% 
 (Identified cost $129,308,240)                                                                  129,308,240(a) 
 Cash and receivables, less liabilities--1.6%                                                      2,053,166 
                                                                                                ------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%                                                                              $131,361,406
                                                                                                ============
</TABLE>

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: At December 31, 1996, the aggregate cost 
    of securities was the same for book and tax purposes. 
(b) Variable rate demand note. The interest rates shown reflect the rate 
    currently in effect. The maturity dates shown reflect the next 
    interest rate reset dates. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-3 
<PAGE> 

                             MONEY MARKET SERIES 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Assets 
Investment securities at value (Identified cost $129,308,240)                           $129,308,240
Cash                                                                                         526,466
Receivable for fund shares sold                                                            1,267,063
Interest receivable                                                                          354,789
                                                                                         ------------
 Total assets                                                                            131,456,558
                                                                                         ------------
Liabilities 
Investment advisory fee                                                                       43,068
Trustees' fee                                                                                  8,091
Financial agent fee                                                                            6,397
Accrued expenses                                                                              37,596
                                                                                         ------------
 Total liabilities                                                                            95,152
                                                                                         ------------
Net Assets                                                                               $131,361,406
                                                                                         ============
Net Assets Consist of: 
Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest                                        $131,361,403
Undistributed net investment income                                                                3
                                                                                         ------------
Net Assets                                                                               $131,361,406
                                                                                         ============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization           13,136,138
                                                                                         ============
Net asset value and offering price per share                                                   $10.00
                                                                                               ======

</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
For the year ended December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
Investment Income 
Interest                                                                                 $ 5,865,100
                                                                                         ------------
 Total investment income                                                                   5,865,100
                                                                                         ------------
Expenses 
Investment advisory fee                                                                      431,032
Financial agent fee                                                                           64,655
Printing                                                                                      33,528
Professional                                                                                  24,087
Trustees                                                                                      18,073
Custodian                                                                                     16,377
Miscellaneous                                                                                  2,783
                                                                                         ------------
 Total expenses                                                                              590,535
                                                                                         ------------
Net investment income                                                                       5,274,565
                                                                                         ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                      $ 5,274,565
                                                                                         ============
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-4 
<PAGE> 

                             MONEY MARKET SERIES 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year             Year 
                                                                                Ended             Ended 
                                                                               12/31/96         12/31/95 
                                                                          ----------------   ---------------- 
<S>                                                                         <C>               <C>
From Operations 
 Net investment income                                                      $   5,274,565     $   5,070,409 
                                                                            --------------  --------------- 
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                           5,274,565         5,070,409 
                                                                            --------------  --------------- 
From Distributions to Shareholders 
 Net investment income                                                         (5,303,654)       (5,055,199) 
                                                                            --------------  --------------- 
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders                     (5,303,654)       (5,055,199) 
                                                                            --------------  --------------- 
From Share Transactions 
 Proceeds from sales of shares (31,500,976 and 19,415,954 shares, 
  respectively)                                                               315,009,761       194,159,531 
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions 
   (530,365 and 505,520 shares, respectively)                                   5,303,654         5,055,199 
 Cost of shares repurchased (29,186,637 and 19,087,235 shares, 
  respectively)                                                              (291,866,357)     (190,872,354) 
                                                                            --------------  --------------- 
 Increase in net assets from share transactions                                28,447,058         8,342,376 
                                                                            --------------  --------------- 
 Net increase in net assets                                                    28,417,969         8,357,586 
Net Assets 
 Beginning of period                                                          102,943,437        94,585,851 
                                                                            --------------  --------------- 
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $3 and 
   $29,092, respectively)                                                   $ 131,361,406     $ 102,943,437 
                                                                            ==============  =============== 
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Year ended December 31, 
                                               1996          1995          1994          1993          1992 
                                               ----          ----          ----          ----          ---- 
<S>                                          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>     
Net asset value, beginning of period           $10.00        $10.00       $10.00        $10.00        $10.00 
Income from investment operations 
 Net investment income                           0.50          0.56         0.38(1)       0.28(1)       0.35 
                                             --------      --------      -------       -------       ------- 
  Total from investment operations               0.50          0.56         0.38          0.28          0.35 
                                             --------      --------      -------       -------       ------- 
Less distributions 
 Dividends from net investment income           (0.50)        (0.56)       (0.38)        (0.28)        (0.35) 
                                             --------      --------      -------       -------       ------- 
  Total distributions                           (0.50)        (0.56)       (0.38)        (0.28)        (0.35) 
                                             --------      --------      -------       -------       ------- 
Net asset value, end of period                 $10.00        $10.00       $10.00        $10.00        $10.00 
                                             ========      ========      =======       =======       ======= 
Total return                                     4.98%         5.55%        3.77%         2.80%         3.50% 
Ratios/supplemental data: 
Net assets, end of period (thousands)        $131,361      $102,943      $94,586       $72,946       $69,962 
Ratio to average net assets of: 
 Operating expenses                              0.55%         0.53%(2)     0.55%         0.55%         0.50% 
 Net investment income                           4.89%         5.57%        3.85%         2.84%         3.49% 
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of 
    $0.003 and $0.01 per share, respectively. 
(2) The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excludes the 
    effect of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were 
    included, the ratio would not significantly differ. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-5 
<PAGE> 
                                 GROWTH SERIES 

  With the stock market continuing its remarkable rally dating back to 
December 1994, Phoenix Edge Growth Series posted double-digit gains during 
this reporting cycle. For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 1996, 
the Fund posted a total return of 12.58%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 
Stock Index, a commonly used measure of U.S. stock market performance, 
returned 23.25%. All of these figures assume reinvestment of any 
distributions, but exclude the effect of sales charges. 

  We have viewed the stock market as in the late stages of a cyclical upswing. 
Since October 1990, stocks have moved higher virtually without major 
interruption. The excellent returns have bred an environment of complacency 
and high expectations that have pushed investors further out on the risk 
spectrum. During the second quarter of 1996, we witnessed a tremendous influx 
of money into aggressive growth and smaller company funds that showcased this 
speculative impulse. The correction of July 1996 cleansed the excesses in 
this area of the market. Since July, the focus has shifted to larger company 
outperformance. Investors have poured money into very large companies 
believed to provide steady growth characteristics and ample liquidity. This 
more recent tactic has pushed market indices (such as S&P 500 and the Dow 
Jones Industrials) higher, while broader measures of stock performance have 
lagged. 

  In retrospect, the Fund's performance was held back by a more guarded stance 
toward the stock market. Our approach of lowering the portfolio's risk 
profile by holding cash reserves met with good results through August 1996, 
and especially in the difficult market environment during July. But the 
dramatic rebound in equity prices during the remainder of the year served as 
the primary reason for lagging the S&P 500 Stock Index. Positive contributors 
to performance during the reporting period included our excellent stock 
selection in both the energy and financial sectors as well as our decision to 
avoid the poorly performing utility group. Specific areas which hindered our 
relative equity performance included weakness in some of our technology and 
capital goods holdings. 

  While valuation levels have clearly risen over the last two years, we do not 
believe that the stock market is presently overvalued. As we move into 1997, 
the Fund is currently focusing on stable growth stocks as well as companies 
with improving earnings prospects. In terms of sector allocation, the 
portfolio is currently overweighted in the health care and financial sectors, 
and underweighted in basic materials and consumer cyclical stocks. Although 
we believe the technology group still offers excellent long-term growth 
opportunities, we are maintaining a market weighting in this volatile sector, 
while waiting for a more favorable time to selectively increase our exposure 
in this area. 

  In conclusion, after back-to-back years of powerful performance, the equity 
risk is rising. We believe that the key to 1997 outperformance lies in taking 
advantage of market inefficiencies within a volatile trading range combined 
with individual stock selection. 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DESCRIPTION OF LINE CHART

             Growth Series      S&P 500 Stock Index
12/31/86        $10,000            $10,000
12/31/87         10,705             10,517
12/31/88         11,115             12,253
12/31/89         15,123             16,104
12/31/90         15,725             15,590
12/31/91         22,617             20,352
12/31/92         24,945             21,917
12/31/93         29,856             24,109
12/31/94         30,298             24,427
12/31/95         39,645             33,590
12/31/96         44,632             41,398
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ending 12/31/96 

                                       1 Year    5 Years    10 Years 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Series                          12.58%    14.56%      16.13% 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Stock Index*                   23.25%    15.26%      15.27% 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------

This chart assumes an initial gross investment of $10,000 made on 12/31/86. 
Returns shown include the reinvestment of all distributions at net asset 
value, and the change in share price for the stated period. Returns indicate 
past performance, which is not predictive of future performance. Investment 
return and net asset value will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, 
may be worth more or less than the original cost. Foreign investing involves 
special risks such as currency fluctuation and less public disclosure, as 
well as economic and political risks. 

*The S&P 500 Stock Index is an unmanaged but commonly used measure of stock 
 total return performance. 

                                     2-6 
<PAGE> 

                                GROWTH SERIES 
                           SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS 
                              December 31, 1996 

                                                   SHARES        VALUE 
                                                  --------- ---------------- 
COMMON STOCKS--96.5% 
Aerospace & Defense--2.0% 
 Boeing Co.                                       121,200     $ 12,892,650
 United Technologies Corp.                        174,400       11,510,400
                                                             -------------
                                                                24,403,050
                                                             -------------
Banks--7.5% 
 Ahmanson (H.F.) & Co.                            388,500       12,626,250
 BankAmerica Corp.                                124,500       12,418,875
 Chase Manhattan Corp.                            207,100       18,483,675
 Citicorp                                         180,500       18,591,500
 Nationsbank Corp.                                 63,800        6,236,450
 Republic New York Corp.                          149,800       12,227,425
 Wells Fargo & Co.                                 45,300       12,219,675
                                                             -------------
                                                                92,803,850
                                                             -------------
Beverages--3.8% 
 Coca-Cola Co.                                    488,900       25,728,363
 PepsiCo, Inc.                                    292,900        8,567,325
 Seagram Ltd.                                     317,200       12,291,500
                                                             -------------
                                                                46,587,188
                                                             -------------
Chemical--2.0% 
 Du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.                  130,300       12,297,063
 IMC Global, Inc.                                 328,600       12,856,475
                                                             -------------
                                                                25,153,538
                                                             -------------
Computer Software & Services--5.1% 
 Adaptec, Inc. (b)                                281,600       11,264,000
 Computer Associates International, Inc.          300,100       14,929,975
 First Data Corp.                                 320,200       11,687,300
 Microsoft Corp. (b)                              295,200       24,390,900
 Sterling Commerce, Inc. (b)                            1               35
                                                             -------------
                                                                62,272,210
                                                             -------------
Conglomerates--2.0% 
 AlliedSignal, Inc.                               184,600       12,368,200
 Tyco International Ltd.                          236,400       12,499,650
                                                             -------------
                                                                24,867,850
                                                             -------------
Containers--1.1% 
 Crown Cork & Seal, Inc.                          238,600       12,973,875
                                                             -------------
Cosmetics & Soaps--3.2% 
 Colgate Palmolive Co.                            136,700       12,610,575
 Gillette Co.                                     179,300       13,940,575
 Procter & Gamble Co.                             115,500       12,416,250
                                                             -------------
                                                                38,967,400
                                                             -------------
Diversified Financial Services--6.2% 
 American Express Co.                             229,400       12,961,100
 Conseco, Inc.                                    197,700       12,603,375
 Federal National Mortgage Assoc.                 305,900       11,394,775
 First USA, Inc.                                  379,700       13,147,113
 MBNA Corp.                                       322,300       13,375,450
 Travelers Group, Inc.                            282,300       12,809,362
                                                             -------------
                                                                76,291,175
                                                             -------------
Diversified Miscellaneous--1.2% 
 Eastman Kodak Co.                                 77,800        6,243,450
 Equifax, Inc.                                    294,700        9,025,188
                                                             -------------
                                                                15,268,638
                                                             -------------
Electrical Equipment--3.8% 
 Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (b)                     176,800        4,375,800
 General Electric Co.                             243,900       24,115,612
 Raychem Corp.                                    232,700       18,645,087
                                                             -------------
                                                                47,136,499
                                                             -------------
Electronics--6.8% 
 Atmel Corp. (b)                                  181,600     $  6,015,500
 Intel Corp.                                      290,200       37,998,062
 Perkin Elmer Corp.                               215,100       12,664,012
 S3, Inc. (b)                                     342,100        5,559,125
 3Com Corp. (b)                                   295,800       21,704,325
                                                             -------------
                                                                83,941,024
                                                             -------------
Healthcare--Diversified--2.5% 
 American Home Products Corp.                     210,600       12,346,425
 Mallinckrodt, Inc.                               280,800       12,390,300
 Warner-Lambert Co.                                80,400        6,030,000
                                                             -------------
                                                                30,766,725
                                                             -------------
Healthcare--Drugs--7.5% 
 Amgen, Inc. (b)                                  217,000       11,799,375
 Centocor, Inc. (b)                               176,500        6,309,875
 Merck & Co., Inc.                                462,600       36,661,050
 Pfizer, Inc.                                     297,000       24,613,875
 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc.                         325,400       12,893,975
                                                             -------------
                                                                92,278,150
                                                             -------------
Hospital Management & Services--1.0% 
 Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp.                    307,500       12,530,625
                                                             -------------
Insurance--1.5% 
 Allstate Corp.                                   212,400       12,292,650
 SunAmerica, Inc.                                 150,100        6,660,688
                                                             -------------
                                                                18,953,338
                                                             -------------
Medical Products & Supplies--3.0% 
 Boston Scientific Corp. (b)                      210,100       12,606,000
 Johnson & Johnson                                248,100       12,342,975
 Medtronic, Inc.                                  187,000       12,716,000
                                                             -------------
                                                                37,664,975
                                                             -------------
Natural Gas--1.5% 
 Anadarko Petroleum Corp.                         185,600       12,017,600
 Burlington Resources, Inc.                       118,500        5,969,437
                                                             -------------
                                                                17,987,037
                                                             -------------
Office & Business Equipment--3.9% 
 Compaq Computer Corp. (b)                        244,200       18,131,850
 Hewlett Packard Co.                              120,500        6,055,125
 International Business Machines Corp.            158,500       23,933,500
                                                             -------------
                                                                48,120,475
                                                             -------------
Oil--1.0% 
 Louisiana Land & Exploration Co.                 225,800       12,108,525
                                                             -------------
Oil Service & Equipment--8.9% 
 BJ Services Co. (b)                              376,800       19,216,800
 Diamond Offshore Drilling (b)                    322,700       18,393,900
 Dresser Industries, Inc.                         229,100        7,102,100
 ENSCO International, Inc. (b)                    297,000       14,404,500
 Halliburton Co.                                  307,500       18,526,875
 Rowan Companies, Inc. (b)                        262,400        5,936,800
 Schlumberger Ltd.                                119,800       11,965,025
 Tidewater, Inc.                                  323,800       14,651,950
                                                             -------------
                                                               110,197,950
                                                             -------------
Professional Services--2.1% 
 ADT Ltd. (b)                                     547,700       12,528,637
 Cognizant Corp.                                  387,000       12,771,000
                                                             -------------
                                                                25,299,637
                                                             -------------
Rails--1.5% 
 Burlington Northern, Inc.                        219,500       18,959,313
                                                             -------------

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-7 
<PAGE> 

                                GROWTH SERIES 

                                                   SHARES        VALUE 
                                                  --------- ---------------- 

Retail--7.2% 
 CVS Corp.                                        312,300    $   12,921,412
 Federated Department Stores, Inc. (b)            374,000        12,762,750
 Footstar, Inc. (b)                                     1                12
 Home Depot, Inc.                                 495,000        24,811,875
 Price/Costco, Inc. (b)                           755,500        18,981,938
 TJX Companies, Inc.                              417,600        19,783,800
                                                             --------------
                                                                 89,261,787
                                                             --------------
Retail--Food--1.0% 
 American Stores Co.                              307,500        12,569,062
                                                             --------------
Telecommunications Equipment--3.0% 
 Cisco Systems, Inc. (b)                          583,900        37,150,638
                                                             --------------
Tobacco--3.0% 
 Philip Morris Companies, Inc.                    330,400        37,211,300
                                                             --------------
Utility--Telephone--3.2% 
 Ameritech Corp.                                  221,300        13,416,313
 GTE Corp.                                        293,900        13,372,450
 SBC Communications, Inc.                         251,800        13,030,650
                                                             --------------
                                                                 39,819,413
                                                             --------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $1,117,867,582)                             1,191,545,247
                                                             --------------
FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS--3.2% 
Chemical--1.0% 
 Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc. (Canada)      152,600        12,971,000
                                                             --------------
Cosmetics & Soaps--1.1% 
 Unilever NV (Netherlands)                         74,200        13,003,550
                                                             --------------
Oil Service & Equipment--1.1% 
 Elf Aquitane Sponsored ADR (France)              307,600        13,918,900
                                                             --------------
TOTAL FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $32,799,274)                                   39,893,450
                                                             --------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--99.7% 
 (Identified cost $1,150,666,856)                             1,231,438,697
                                                             --------------


                                       STANDARD 
                                       & POOR'S      PAR 
                                        RATING      VALUE 
                                      (Unaudited)   (000)         VALUE 
                                     ------------  --------  ----------------- 
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--5.4% 
Commercial Paper--3.5% 
 Private Export Funding Corp. 5.30%, 
  1-28-97                               A-1+        $ 2,145    $    2,135,863
 Albertson's, Inc. 5.48%, 1-29-97       A-1           4,675         4,655,074
 Cargill, Inc. 5.33%, 1-31-97           A-1+          3,000         2,986,675
 Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. 
  5.30%, 1-31-97                        A-1+          3,300         3,283,917
 Corporate Receivables Corp. 5.37%, 
  2-12-97                               A-1           3,410         3,387,885
 General Re Corp. 5.30%, 2-14-97        A-1+          5,000         4,964,959
 Goldman Sachs & Co. 5.35%, 2-14-97     A-1+          6,380         6,335,287
 Receivables Capital Corp. 5.40%, 
  2-14-97                               A-1           3,565         3,539,989
 Beta Finance, Inc. 5.38%, 2-25-97      A-1+          3,000         2,973,864
 Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. 
  5.43%, 2-25-97                        A-1+          5,000         4,956,210
 Cargill, Inc., 5.30%, 3-6-97           A-1+          4,000         3,958,680
                                                               --------------
                                                                   43,178,403
                                                               --------------
Federal Agency Securities--1.9% 
 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 5.31%, 2-21-97      2,065         2,048,541
 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 5.24%, 2-27-97      5,000         4,955,787
 Federal Farm Credit Banks 5.20%, 5-6-97              2,000         1,963,240
 Federal Home Loan Banks 5.29%, 
  8-8-97 (c)                                          5,000         5,000,000
 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 5.37%, 
  12-9-97 (c)                                        10,000         9,995,500
                                                               --------------
                                                                   23,963,068
                                                               --------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS 
 (Identified cost $67,163,196)                                     67,141,471
                                                               --------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--105.1% 
 (Identified cost $1,217,830,052)                               1,298,580,168(a)
 Cash and receivables, less liabilities---(5.1%)                  (63,185,635) 
                                                               --------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%                                             $1,235,394,533
                                                               ==============

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment 
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $102,899,035 and gross 
    depreciation of $22,857,753 for income tax purposes. At December 31, 
    1996, the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes 
    was $1,218,538,886. 
(b) Non-income producing. 
(c) Variable rate security. The interest rates shown reflect the rate 
    currently in effect. 


                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-8 
<PAGE> 

                                GROWTH SERIES 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Assets 
 Investment securities at value (Identified cost $1,217,830,052)                        $1,298,580,168
 Receivable for investment securities sold                                                  61,614,267
 Interest and dividends receivable                                                           1,359,744
 Tax reclaim receivable                                                                        150,324
                                                                                         -------------
  Total assets                                                                           1,361,704,503
                                                                                         -------------
Liabilities 
 Custodian                                                                                   6,928,727
 Payable for investment securities purchased                                               118,208,858
 Payable for fund shares repurchased                                                           312,495
 Investment advisory fee                                                                       663,971
 Financial agent fee                                                                            63,221
 Trustees' fee                                                                                   8,862
 Accrued expenses                                                                              123,836
                                                                                         -------------
  Total liabilities                                                                        126,309,970
                                                                                         -------------
Net Assets                                                                              $1,235,394,533
                                                                                         =============
Net Assets Consist of: 
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest                                       $1,077,175,658
 Undistributed net investment income                                                           739,354
 Accumulated net realized gain                                                              76,729,405
 Net unrealized appreciation                                                                80,750,116
                                                                                         -------------
Net Assets                                                                              $1,235,394,533
                                                                                         =============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization            65,390,920
                                                                                         =============
Net asset value and offering price per share                                                    $18.89
                                                                                                ======
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
For the year ended December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Investment Income 
 Dividends                                                                               $ 11,473,651
 Interest                                                                                   8,182,579
                                                                                         ------------
  Total investment income                                                                  19,656,230
                                                                                         ------------
Expenses 
 Investment advisory fee                                                                    7,114,489
 Financial agent fee                                                                          673,949
 Printing                                                                                     139,045
 Custodian                                                                                    107,732
 Professional                                                                                  35,542
 Trustees                                                                                      18,816
 Miscellaneous                                                                                 23,040
                                                                                         ------------
  Total expenses                                                                            8,112,613
                                                                                         ------------
Net investment income                                                                      11,543,617
                                                                                         ------------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 
 Net realized gain on securities                                                          151,656,728
 Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions                                           (25,548) 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                      (28,811,458) 
                                                                                         ------------
Net gain on investments                                                                   122,819,722
                                                                                         ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                     $134,363,339
                                                                                         ============
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-9 
<PAGE> 

                                GROWTH SERIES 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Year             Year 
                                                                                   Ended            Ended 
                                                                                  12/31/96         12/31/95 
                                                                              ---------------  ---------------- 
<S>                                                                            <C>              <C>
From Operations 
 Net investment income                                                         $   11,543,617   $   8,919,570
 Net realized gain                                                                151,631,180     111,984,233
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                             (28,811,458)     89,700,570
                                                                                -------------  --------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                             134,363,339     210,604,373
                                                                                -------------  --------------
From Distributions to Shareholders 
 Net investment income                                                            (10,973,300)     (7,451,972)
 Net realized gains                                                               (82,322,855)   (105,927,796)
                                                                                -------------  --------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders                        (93,296,155)   (113,379,768)
                                                                                -------------  --------------
From Share Transactions 
 Proceeds from sales of shares (16,369,935 and 16,787,870 shares, 
  respectively)                                                                   309,035,692     302,038,455
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions 
   (4,853,881 and 6,290,645 shares, respectively)                                  93,296,155     113,379,768
 Cost of shares repurchased (10,173,971 and 8,019,458 shares, respectively)      (193,393,445)   (143,474,953)
                                                                                -------------  --------------
 Increase in net assets from share transactions                                   208,938,402     271,943,270
                                                                                -------------  --------------
 Net increase in net assets                                                       250,005,586     369,167,875
Net Assets 
 Beginning of period                                                              985,388,947     616,221,072
                                                                                -------------  --------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $739,354 and 
   $194,585, respectively)                                                     $1,235,394,533   $ 985,388,947
                                                                                =============  ==============
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Year Ended December 31, 
                                       1996            1995            1994           1993            1992 
                                   -------------- --------------  --------------  -------------- --------------- 
<S>                                 <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>      
Net asset value, beginning of 
  period                                $18.13         $15.69          $16.59         $15.01          $14.43 
Income from investment 
  operations 
 Net investment income                    0.19           0.20            0.23(1)(3)     0.16(3)         0.22(3) 
 Net realized and unrealized 
  gain                                    2.10           4.60            0.02           2.77            1.25 
                                    ----------       --------        --------       --------        -------- 
  Total from investment 
   operations                             2.29           4.80            0.25           2.93            1.47 
                                    ----------       --------        --------       --------        -------- 
Less distributions 
 Dividends from net investment 
  income                                 (0.18)         (0.17)          (0.23)         (0.15)          (0.23) 
 Dividends from net realized 
  gains                                  (1.35)         (2.19)          (0.92)         (1.20)          (0.66) 
                                    ----------       --------        --------       --------        -------- 
  Total distributions                    (1.53)         (2.36)          (1.15)         (1.35)          (0.89) 
                                    ----------       --------        --------       --------        -------- 
Change in net asset value                 0.76           2.44           (0.90)          1.58            0.58 
                                    ----------       --------        --------       --------        -------- 
Net asset value, end of period          $18.89         $18.13          $15.69         $16.59          $15.01 
                                    ==========       ========        ========       ========        ======== 
Total return                             12.58%         30.85%           1.48%         19.69%          10.29% 
Ratios/supplemental data: 
Net assets, end of period 
  (thousands)                       $1,235,395       $985,389        $616,221       $446,368        $245,565 
Ratio to average net assets of: 
 Operating expenses                       0.72%          0.75%(2)        0.80%          0.79%           0.50% 
 Net investment income                    1.03%          1.12%           1.38%          0.97%           1.66% 
Portfolio turnover rate                    167%           173%            185%           185%            214% 
Average commission rate paid(4)        $0.0455            N/A             N/A            N/A             N/A 
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of 
    $0.003 per share. 
(2) The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excludes the effect 
    of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were included, 
    the ratio would not significantly differ. 
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding. 
(4) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is 
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities 
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not 
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal 
    basis. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-10 
<PAGE> 

                       MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES 

  After posting stellar gains in 1995, last year's bond market results were 
clearly less than impressive. Most of the disappointing performance occurred 
in the first half of 1996, when nervous investors pushed interest rates 
higher (and bond prices lower) in response to the unexpectedly strong U.S. 
economy. The consensus opinion on Wall Street was that too much economic 
growth could lead to higher inflation. For the first six months of the year, 
the fixed-income market, as measured by the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond 
Index, returned a discouraging -1.22%. 

  By late summer, market sentiment had turned positive again and interest 
rates finally broke out of their trading range and headed downward. This more 
optimistic mood among fixed-income investors was based on numerous reports 
suggesting that the U.S. economy was now growing at a more moderate pace and 
that core inflation was still in check. In this declining interest rate 
environment, the bond market recouped all of its losses from the first half 
of the year and moved into positive territory. Based on the Lehman Brothers 
Aggregate Bond Index, bond market performance improved considerably during 
the second-half of 1996, returning a respectable 4.90% over this latest 
six-month period. 

  Generally speaking, bond investors were well rewarded for moving down the 
credit-risk spectrum in 1996. The emerging markets sector finally received 
front-page recognition as this group significantly outperformed all other 
bond categories as well as most of the world's equity markets. Domestic 
high-yield bonds also posted double-digit returns last year, aided by a 
favorable economic climate and strong demand from mutual fund investors. 
Conversely, the more conservative fixed-income sectors (treasuries, agencies 
and top-tier investment-grade corporates) generally lagged the overall market 
in 1996, as the bond market clearly favored higher yield over higher credit 
quality. 

  Phoenix Edge Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series posted very strong results in 
1996. For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 1996, the Fund provided 
a total return of 12.42%. These results significantly outpaced its benchmark, 
the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, which returned 3.63% over the same 
period. All of these figures assume reinvestment of any distributions, but 
exclude the effect of sales charges. 

  Our emphasis on the less traditional sectors of the fixed-income market paid 
off handsomely and contributed to much of the Fund's outperformance during 
the year. Over the last twelve months, performance in the emerging markets 
and domestic high-yield sectors continued to surpass all other fixed-income 
categories and the portfolio benefited from its exposure in these areas. 
Additionally, our decision to focus on commercial and non-agency residential 
mortgage-backed securities, rather than more conventional agency 
mortgage-backed securities, proved to be rewarding as these less efficient 
sectors continued to produce strong results. 

  As we head into the new year, the U.S. economy currently appears to be in 
good shape. The core inflation rate (CPI excluding food and energy costs) 
rose just 2.6% in 1996 and the economy now appears to be growing at a more 
moderate and sustainable pace. While news of this nature can go a long way in 
restoring confidence in a shaky bond market, we are not convinced that the 
threat of inflation is completely behind us. Although it may currently be 
well contained, it is always a risk to the bond market. 

  With a few minor adjustments, we believe that the investment strategy we 
successfully implemented last year can also perform well in 1997. In the 
mortgage-backed arena, we are of the opinion that commercial and non-agency 
residential securities continue to offer better relative value than their 
agency counterparts. We also like the underfollowed taxable municipal sector, 
which currently provides a significant yield advantage over comparably rated 
corporate bonds. Lastly, despite its extended rally, we remain bullish on 
emerging markets debt. While last year's gains were exceptionally strong 
relative to other fixed-income groups, returns of this nature are not 
unprecedented for this sector. 

  Overall, we are pleased with the Fund's performance during 1996 and believe 
that the portfolio is well positioned for the new year. As always, we will 
continue to overweight undervalued sectors of the bond market as our primary 
means of adding value relative to our benchmark, the Lehman Brothers 
Aggregate Bond Index. 


                                     2-11 
<PAGE> 

                       MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES 


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DESCRIPTION OF LINE CHART 

           Multi-Sector      Lehman Brothers
           Fixed Income      Aggregate
           Series            Bond Index*
12/31/86   $10,000           $10,000
12/31/87    10,112            10,276
12/31/88    11,160            11,087
12/31/89    12,086            12,698
12/31/90    12,707            13,836
12/31/91    15,174            16,050
12/31/92    16,695            17,238
12/31/93    19,350            18,919
12/31/94    18,292            18,367
12/31/95    22,597            21,761
12/31/96    25,404            22,551
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ending 12/31/96 

                                           1 Year   5 Years    10 Years 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series           12.42%    10.86%      9.77% 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index*       3.63%     7.04%      8.47% 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------

This chart assumes an initial gross investment of $10,000 made on 12/31/86. 
Returns shown include the reinvestment of all distributions at net asset 
value, and the change in share price for the stated period. Returns indicate 
past performance, which is not predictive of future performance. Investment 
return and net asset value will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, 
may be worth more or less than the original cost. High yield fixed income 
securities generally are subject to greater market fluctuations and risk of 
loss of income and principal than are investments in lower-yielding fixed 
income securities. Foreign investing involves special risks such as currency 
fluctuation and less public disclosure, as well as economic and political 
risks. 

*The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged but commonly used 
 measure of bond performance. It is a combination of several Lehman Brothers 
 Fixed Income Indexes. 

                           SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS 
                              December 31, 1996 

                                        MOODY'S 
                                         BOND         PAR 
                                        RATING       VALUE 
                                      (Unaudited)    (000)        VALUE 
                                     ------------  ---------  --------------- 
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES--22.1% 
U.S. Treasury Bonds--7.1% 
 U.S. Treasury Bonds 6%, '26 (h)       Aaa          $11,300    $ 10,279,462
                                                               ------------
U.S. Treasury Notes--12.2% 
 U.S. Treasury Notes 5.75%, '98        Aaa              750         748,043
 U.S. Treasury Notes 5.875%, '99       Aaa            3,150       3,137,202
 U.S. Treasury Notes 6.125%, '01       Aaa            1,500       1,493,640
 U.S. Treasury Notes 6.50%, '06        Aaa           12,250      12,318,906
                                                               ------------
                                                                 17,697,791
                                                               ------------
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--2.8% 
 FHLMC 7.50%, '18                      Aaa              296         296,861
 GNMA 8%, '06                          Aaa              189         195,128
 GNMA 6.50%, '23                       Aaa            2,221       2,131,617
 GNMA 6.50%, '25                       Aaa              942         898,296
 GNMA 6.50%, '26                       Aaa              584         557,261
                                                               ------------
                                                                  4,079,163
                                                               ------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES 
 (Identified cost $32,090,576)                                   32,056,416
                                                               ------------
NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--40.6% 
Asset-Backed Securities--4.2% 
 Airplanes Pass Through Trust 1D 
  10.875%, '19                         Ba           $ 1,500    $  1,654,605
 Green Tree Financial Corp. 94-1, B2 
  7.85%, '19                           Baa            3,000       3,032,344
 Team Fleet Financing Corp., 96-1, B 
  144A 7.10%, '02 (b)                  BBB(c)         1,425       1,414,313
                                                               ------------
                                                                  6,101,262
                                                               ------------
Chemical--1.1% 
 General Chemical, Inc., 9.25%, '03    B              1,500       1,541,250
                                                               ------------
Conglomerates--0.7% 
 Allied Waste North America 144A 
  10.25%, '06 (b)                      B              1,000       1,055,000
                                                               ------------
Containers--1.5% 
 Owens-Illinois, Inc. 11%, '03         Ba             2,000       2,235,000
                                                               ------------
Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming--0.7% 
 Comcast Corp. 9.375%, '05             B              1,000       1,040,000
                                                               ------------

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-12 
<PAGE> 

                       MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES 

                                        MOODY'S 
                                         BOND         PAR 
                                        RATING       VALUE 
                                      (Unaudited)    (000)        VALUE 
                                     ------------  ---------  --------------- 
Hospital Management & Services--1.7% 
 Tenet Healthcare Corp. Sr. Note 
  9.625%, '02                          Ba           $   500    $    548,750
 Tenet Healthcare Corp. Sr. Sub. Note 
  10.125%, '05                         Ba             1,750       1,935,938
                                                               ------------
                                                                  2,484,688
                                                               ------------
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--27.1% 
 Equitable Life 174, D1 144A 7.77%, 
  '06 (b)                              Baa            2,000       2,045,000
 FDIC Remic Trust 96-C1, 1D 7.25%, 
  '26                                  Baa            1,500       1,464,609
 General Electric Co. 96-8, 2A5 
  7.50%, '26                           AAA(c)           995       1,002,399
 Kidder Peabody Acceptance Corp. 
  94-C2, D 7.18%, '05                  BBB(c)           500         501,875
 Lehman Structured Securities Corp. 
  96-1, E1 7.955%, '26                 BBB(c)         2,457       2,497,318
 Morgan Stanley Capital Corp. 144A I 
  96-WFI, C 6.59%, '06 (b)             A              1,250       1,200,781
 Mortgage Capital Funding, Inc. 96-M 
  C2, D 7.257%, '06                    Baa(c)         2,000       1,976,563
 Oakwood Mortgage Investors 96-C, A2 
  6.45%, '27                           AAA(c)         1,750       1,747,813
 Residential Asset Securitization 
  Trust 96-A4, A13 7.50%, '26          AAA(c)         1,000         991,250
 Residential Asset Securitization 
  Trust 96-A8, A1 8%, '26              AAA(c)         1,916       1,944,258
 Resolution Trust Corp. 92-C8, D 
  8.835%, '23                          Baa            1,927       1,987,008
 Resolution Trust Corp. 93-C3, A4 
  6.55%, '24                           Aaa              351         349,793
 Resolution Trust Corp. 94-C2, D 8%, 
  '25                                  BBB(c)         1,705       1,738,268
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-C1, B 
  6.90%, '27                           Aa             2,250       2,229,609
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-C2, C 7%, 
  '27                                  A              1,880       1,860,825
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-C2, E 7%, 
  '27                                  Ba             1,482       1,351,569
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-1, M2 
  7.50%, '28                           Aa             2,131       2,153,922
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-2, C1 
  7.45%, '29                           Baa            1,630       1,626,983
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-2, M1 
  7.15%, '29                           Aa             1,663       1,665,962
 Ryland Mortgage Securities Corp. III 
  92-A, 1A 8.33%, '30                  A-(c)            923         926,346
 Securitized Asset Sales, Inc. 95-6, 
  B3 144A 7%, '10 (b)                  NR             1,397       1,210,167
 Securitized Asset Sales, Inc. 95-A, 
  M 7.53%, '24                         Aa             1,818       1,800,216
 Structured Asset Securities Corp. 
  95-C1, D 7.375%, '24                 BBB(c)         2,000       1,984,375
 Structured Asset Securities Corp. 
  96-CFL, E 7.75%, '28                 BB(c)          1,975       1,944,141
 Structured Asset Securities Corp. 
  96-C3, C 144A 7.375%, '30 (b)        A(c)           1,150       1,147,125
                                                               ------------
                                                                 39,348,175
                                                               ------------
Oil Service & Equipment--0.6% 
 Noble Drilling Corp. 9.125%, '06      Ba               750         806,250
                                                               ------------
Paper & Forest Products--0.7% 
 Buckeye Cellulose Corp. 8.50%, '05    Ba               950         952,375
                                                               ------------
Publishing, Broadcasting, Printing & Cable--1.1% 
 Poland Communications, Inc. 144A 
  9.875%, '03 (b)                      B              1,650       1,640,314
                                                               ------------
Retail--Food Service--0.0% 
 ARA Services, Inc. 10.625%, '00       Ba                54          60,008
                                                               ------------
Telecommunications--1.2% 
 Call-Net Enterprises 0%, '04 (d)      B            $ 2,000    $  1,652,500
                                                               ------------
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS 
 (Identified cost $57,918,684)                                   58,916,822
                                                               ------------
FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--9.4% 
Argentina--1.2% 
 Bridas Corp. Sr. Note 12.50%, '99     B              1,600       1,712,000
                                                               ------------
Brazil--2.1% 
 Globo Comunicacoes 144A 10.50%, 
  '06 (b)                              B(c)           2,000       2,010,000
 Tevecap SA 144A 12.625%, '04 (b)      B              1,000       1,026,250
                                                               ------------
                                                                  3,036,250
                                                               ------------
Canada--1.0% 
 Videotron Ltd. Sr. Sub. Note 10.25%, 
  '02                                  Ba             1,400       1,498,000
                                                               ------------
Chile--1.4% 
 CSAV 144A 7.375%, '03 (b)             BBB(c)         2,000       1,970,000
                                                               ------------
Mexico--1.9% 
 Coca-Cola Femsa 8.95%, '06            Ba             2,000       2,002,500
 Grupo Televisa SA 0%, '08 (d)         Ba             1,200         792,000
                                                               ------------
                                                                  2,794,500
                                                               ------------
Philippines--0.9% 
 Subic Power Corp. 144A 9.50%, 
  '08 (b)                              NR             1,245       1,311,883
                                                               ------------
Qatar--0.9% 
 Ras Laffan Gas 144A 7.628%, '06 (b)   A              1,300       1,304,875
                                                               ------------
TOTAL FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS 
 (Identified cost $12,890,485)                                   13,627,508
                                                               ------------
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES--12.1% 
Colombia--0.3% 
 Republic of Colombia Euro 9%, '97     Baa              500         503,960
                                                               ------------
Croatia--2.6% 
 Croatia Series A 6.688%, '10 (d)      NR             2,238       2,166,663
 Croatia Series A 144A 6.688%, '10 
  (b)(d)                               NR             1,500       1,452,188
 Croatia Series B 6.688%, '06 (d)      NR               146         142,259
                                                               ------------
                                                                  3,761,110
                                                               ------------
Dominican Republic--0.3% 
 Dominican Republic BR-PDI 6.563%, 
  '09 (d)                              NR               500         396,250
                                                               ------------
Mexico--0.9% 
 United Mexican States Discount A 
  6.453%, '19 (d)(e)                   Ba             1,525       1,315,313
                                                               ------------
Morocco--1.1% 
 Morocco R&C Agreement Series A 
  6.375%, '09 (d)                      NR             2,000       1,650,000
                                                               ------------
Panama--1.9% 
 Panama PDI 144A, PIK interest 
  capitalization, 6.75%, '16 (b)(d)    NR             3,500       2,773,688
                                                               ------------
Philippines--0.9% 
 Republic of Philippines 144A 8.75%, 
  '16 (b)                              B              1,301       1,353,853
                                                               ------------
Russia--1.3% 
 Russian Interest Notes 6.41% WI 
  (d)(g)                               NR             1,000         695,000
 Russian Principal Loans 6.41% WI 
  (d)(g)                               NR             2,000       1,176,250
                                                               ------------
                                                                  1,871,250
                                                               ------------

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-13 
<PAGE> 

                       MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES 

                                        MOODY'S 
                                         BOND         PAR 
                                        RATING       VALUE 
                                      (Unaudited)    (000)        VALUE 
                                     ------------  ---------  -------------
Slovenia--0.2% 
 Republic of Slovenia Series 1 144A 
  6.375%, '06 (b)(d)                   A(c)         $   145    $    145,181
 Republic of Slovenia Series 2 144A 
  6%, '06 (b)(d)                       A(c)              76          74,789
                                                               ------------
                                                                    219,970
                                                               ------------
Venezuela--2.6% 
 Republic of Venezuela DCB Euro 
  6.50%, '07 (d)                       Ba             2,000       1,765,000
 Republic of Venezuela FLIRB A Euro 
  6.625%, '07 (d)                      Ba             1,000         892,500
 Republic of Venezuela Series A NMB 
  6.625%, '05 (d)                      Ba             1,250       1,106,250
                                                               ------------
                                                                  3,763,750
                                                               ------------
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES 
 (Identified cost $15,306,745)                                   17,609,144
                                                               ------------
MUNICIPAL BONDS--10.7% 
California--1.8% 
 Orange County Pension A Taxable 
  7.67%, '09                           Aaa            2,500       2,606,825
                                                               ------------
Florida--2.6% 
 Dade County Florida Ed. Facs. 
  Authority 5.75%, '20                 Aaa              475         480,833
 Palm Beach Waste Revenue Project B 
  Taxable 10.50%, '11                  NR             1,500       1,492,935
 University Miami Exchange Revenue A 
  Taxable 7.65%, '20                   Aaa            1,795       1,811,747
                                                               ------------
                                                                  3,785,515
                                                               ------------
Michigan--0.8% 
 Hartland Consolidated School 
  District 5.125%, '22                 Aaa            1,280       1,191,654
                                                               ------------
Pennsylvania--3.0% 
 Pennsylvania Economic Development 
  9.50%, '12                           NR             2,500       2,348,000
 Pennsylvania Economic Development 
  6.75%, '07                           NR             1,950       1,996,332
                                                               ------------
                                                                  4,344,332
                                                               ------------
Texas--0.9% 
 Texas State Turnpike Authority 
  Dallas 5.25%, '23                    Aaa            1,280       1,222,489
                                                               ------------
Virginia--1.6% 
 Newport News Taxable Series B 7.05%, 
  '25                                  Aa               750         707,145
 Pittsylvania County Series B 
  7.65%, '10                           NR             1,500       1,603,695
                                                               ------------
                                                                  2,310,840
                                                               ------------
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS 
 (Identified cost $15,306,344)                                   15,461,655
                                                               ------------
CONVERTIBLE BONDS--0.7% 
Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming--0.7% 
 Comcast Corp. Cv. 1.125%, '07 (d)     B            $ 2,000    $  1,015,000
                                                               ------------
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS 
 (Identified cost $1,103,735)                                     1,015,000
                                                               ------------
FOREIGN CONVERTIBLE BONDS--0.8% 
Mexico--0.8% 
 Empresas ICA Sociedad Euro 5%, '04    B(c)           1,700       1,200,625
                                                               ------------
TOTAL FOREIGN CONVERTIBLE BONDS 
 (Identified cost $1,107,962)                                     1,200,625
                                                               ------------


                                                SHARES 
                                                -------- 
WARRANTS--0.1% 
Paper & Forest Products--0.1% 
 SD Warren Warrants 144A (b)(f)                 30,000              150,000
                                                               ------------
TOTAL WARRANTS 
 (Identified cost $142,500)                                         150,000
                                                               ------------
PREFERRED STOCKS--1.2% 
Paper & Forest Products--0.6% 
 SD Warren Co. Pfd. PIK 144A 
  Series B (b)                                  30,000              857,393
                                                               ------------
Telecommunications Equipment--0.6% 
 Cablevision Systems Pfd. M B3 PIK 11.125%      10,000              880,000
                                                               ------------
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $1,492,500)                                     1,737,393
                                                               ------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--97.7% 
 (Identified cost $137,359,531)                                 141,774,563
                                                               ------------


                                        STANDARD 
                                        & POOR'S      PAR 
                                         RATING      VALUE 
                                       (Unaudited)   (000) 
                                      ------------  --------- 
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--1.2% 
Commercial Paper--1.2% 
 Abbott Laboratories 5.42%, 1-7-97        A-1+      $ 1,690       1,688,473
                                                               ------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS 
 (Identified cost $1,688,473)                                     1,688,473
                                                               ------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--98.9% 
 (Identified cost $139,048,004)                                 143,463,036(a) 
 Cash and receivables, less liabilities--1.1%                     1,581,374
                                                               ------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%                                             $145,044,410
                                                               ============

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment 
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $5,489,857 and gross 
    depreciation of $1,096,529 for income tax purposes. At December 31, 1996, 
    the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was 
    $139,069,708. 
(b) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act 
    of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from 
    registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 
    1996, these securities amounted to a value of $24,142,800 or 16.6% of net 
    assets. 
(c) As rated by Standard & Poor's, Fitch or Duff & Phelps. 
(d) Variable or step coupon obligation; interest rate shown reflects the rate 
    currently in effect. 
(e) Rights incorporated as a unit. 
(f) Non-income producing. 
(g) When issued. 
(h) Segregated as collateral. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-14 
<PAGE> 

                       MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Assets 
 Investment securities at value (Identified cost $139,048,004)                           $143,463,036
 Cash                                                                                          23,003
 Receivable for investment securities sold                                                  4,075,807
 Receivable for fund shares sold                                                               61,173
 Interest receivable                                                                        2,840,294
                                                                                         ------------
  Total assets                                                                            150,463,313
                                                                                         ------------
Liabilities 
 Payable for investment securities purchased                                                5,298,125
 Investment advisory fee                                                                       53,876
 Trustees' fee                                                                                  8,255
 Financial agent fee                                                                            7,176
 Accrued expenses                                                                              51,471
                                                                                         ------------
  Total liabilities                                                                         5,418,903
                                                                                         ------------
Net Assets                                                                               $145,044,410
                                                                                         ============
Net Assets Consist of: 
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest                                        $138,951,243
 Undistributed net investment income                                                          426,754
 Accumulated net realized gain                                                              1,251,381
 Net unrealized appreciation                                                                4,415,032
                                                                                         ------------
Net Assets                                                                               $145,044,410
                                                                                         ============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization           14,026,293
                                                                                         ============
Net asset value and offering price per share                                                   $10.34
                                                                                               ======

</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
For the year ended December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
Investment Income 
 Interest                                                                                 $ 9,625,540
 Dividends                                                                                    623,497
                                                                                         ------------
  Total investment income                                                                  10,249,037
                                                                                         ------------
Expenses 
 Investment advisory fee                                                                      606,445
 Financial agent fee                                                                           72,793
 Custodian                                                                                     48,902
 Printing                                                                                      37,165
 Professional                                                                                  20,660
 Trustees                                                                                      18,393
 Miscellaneous                                                                                  5,301
 Expenses borne by investment adviser                                                         (21,281) 
                                                                                         ------------
  Total expenses                                                                              788,378
                                                                                         ------------
Net investment income                                                                       9,460,659
                                                                                         ------------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 
  Net realized gain on securities                                                           7,367,063 
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                      (2,309,914) 
                                                                                         ------------
Net gain on investments                                                                     5,057,149
                                                                                         ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                      $14,517,808
                                                                                         ============
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-15 
<PAGE> 

                       MULTI-SECTOR FIXED INCOME SERIES 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year            Year 
                                                                                Ended           Ended 
                                                                              12/31/96        12/31/95 
                                                                          ---------------   --------------- 
<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>
From Operations 
 Net investment income                                                      $  9,460,659    $  7,829,504 
 Net realized gain                                                             7,367,063       1,405,058 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                         (2,309,914)     10,007,140 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                         14,517,808      19,241,702 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
From Distributions to Shareholders 
 Net investment income                                                        (9,238,947)     (7,763,175) 
 Net realized gains                                                           (4,270,844)             -- 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders                   (13,509,791)     (7,763,175) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
From Share Transactions 
 Proceeds from sales of shares (6,711,402 and 4,715,281 shares, 
  respectively)                                                               69,891,527      45,595,165 
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions 
   (1,316,308 and 796,247 shares, respectively)                               13,509,791       7,763,175 
 Cost of shares repurchased (4,670,077 and 3,158,605 shares, 
  respectively)                                                              (48,410,465)    (30,477,355) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Increase in net assets from share transactions                               34,990,853      22,880,985 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Net increase in net assets                                                   35,998,870      34,359,512 
Net Assets 
 Beginning of period                                                         109,045,540      74,686,028 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $426,754 
  and $135,344, respectively)                                               $145,044,410    $109,045,540 
                                                                            ============    ============ 
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Year Ended December 31, 
                                                 1996         1995          1994          1993        1992 
                                              ----------  ------------ ------------- ------------- ---------- 
<S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>         <C>     
Net asset value, beginning of period            $10.22        $8.98        $10.27        $ 9.58       $9.33 
Income from investment operations 
 Net investment income                            0.79(1)      0.83(1)(2)    0.72(1)(2)    0.66(1)(2)  0.66(2) 
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)          0.43         1.22         (1.28)         0.84        0.25 
                                              --------     --------       -------       -------      ------- 
  Total from investment operations                1.22         2.05         (0.56)         1.50        0.91 
                                              --------     --------       -------       -------      ------- 
Less distributions 
 Dividends from net investment income            (0.78)       (0.81)        (0.73)        (0.66)      (0.66) 
 Dividends from net realized gains               (0.32)          --            --         (0.15)         -- 
                                              --------     --------       -------       -------      ------- 
  Total distributions                            (1.10)       (0.81)        (0.73)        (0.81)      (0.66) 
                                              --------     --------       -------       -------      ------- 
Change in net asset value                         0.12         1.24         (1.29)         0.69        0.25 
                                              --------     --------       -------       -------      ------- 
Net asset value, end of period                  $10.34       $10.22         $8.98        $10.27       $9.58 
                                              ========     ========       =======       =======      ======= 
Total return                                     12.42%       23.54%        -5.47%        15.90%      10.03% 
Ratios/supplemental data: 
Net assets, end of period (thousands)         $145,044     $109,046       $74,686       $79,393     $43,090 
Ratio to average net assets of: 
 Operating expenses                               0.65%        0.65%(3)      0.66%         0.65%       0.50% 
 Net investment income                            7.80%        8.55%         7.62%         6.71%       7.47% 
Portfolio turnover rate                            191%         147%          181%          169%        166% 
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of 
    $0.002, $0.007, $0.006 and $0.005 per share, respectively. 
(2) Computed using average shares outstanding. 
(3) The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excludes the effect 
    of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were included, 
    the ratio would not significantly differ. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-16 
<PAGE> 

                             TOTAL RETURN SERIES 

  Despite increasing interest rates and waning corporate earnings momentum, 
U.S. stock prices forged higher over this reporting period, fueled by 
unprecedented cash inflows into equity mutual funds and continued corporate 
share buybacks. Although this remarkable rally dates back to December 1994, 
the past year has been one of tremendous rotation among various sectors of 
the stock market--a manifestation of increasing investor uncertainty over the 
direction of interest rates and the economy. As measured by the Standard & 
Poor's 500 Stock Index, the U.S. equity market returned an impressive 23.25% 
during 1996. 

  While it may have been another record year for U.S. equities, the overall 
bond market produced less than stellar results. For the twelve months ended 
December 31, 1996, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, an unmanaged 
gauge of bond market performance, returned a mere 3.63%. Shifting market 
opinion over the direction of the U.S. economy contributed to much of the 
volatility in interest rates during this reporting period. As measured by the 
30-year Treasury bond, interest rates started the year at 5.95%, climbed as 
high as 7.19% in July, and finished 1996 yielding 6.64%. Generally speaking, 
investors were well rewarded for moving down the credit-risk spectrum last 
year, as lower-quality bonds generally outperformed higher-quality issues. 

  For the twelve months ended December 31, 1996, Phoenix Edge Total Return 
Series posted a respectable 9.05%. Over the same period, it's peer group 
average--the 185 retail funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services--earned 
13.59%. As with the broad market returns noted above, all of these figures 
assume reinvestment of any distributions, but exclude the effect of sales 
charges. 

  During this latest reporting period, Fund performance was held back 
primarily because of weakness in some of our consumer cyclical, technology 
and health care stocks. Positive contributors to equity performance included 
our strong stock selection in the energy, finance and capital goods sectors. 
The fixed-income segment of the Fund also boosted results as it continued to 
significantly outperform its benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond 
Index. Our decision to emphasize such non-traditional sectors of the bond 
market such as taxable municipals, commercial and non-agency residential 
mortgage-backed securities and emerging market debt, paid off handsomely 
during the year. 

  After two back-to-back years of powerful performance, the equity risk level 
is clearly rising. In a stock market caught between long-term concerns and 
intermediate opportunities, we are focusing our equity exposure on growth 
companies that have some sensitivity to the domestic economy and/or foreign 
sales growth. The Fund is currently emphasizing such timely investment themes 
as Capital Goods--The Long Wave (capital goods), Software Solutions 
(technology) and Energy Technology (energy). Looking ahead, we believe that 
the key to outperformance lies in taking advantage of market inefficiencies 
within a volatile trading range combined with individual stock selection. 

  With a few minor adjustments, we believe that the fixed-income investment 
strategy we successfully implemented last year can also perform well in 1997. 
In the mortgage-backed arena, we are of the opinion that commercial and 
non-agency residential securities continue to offer better relative value 
than their agency counterparts. We also like the underfollowed taxable 
municipal sector, which currently provides a significant yield advantage over 
comparably rated corporate bonds. Lastly, despite its extended rally, we 
remain bullish on emerging market debt. While last year's gains were 
exceptionally strong relative to other fixed-income groups, returns of this 
nature are not unprecedented for this sector. 

  Overall, we believe the Fund is well positioned for the new year. As of 
December 31, 1996, the Fund's asset allocation mix was 73% equities, 16% 
fixed income and 11% cash equivalents. As always, we remain committed to the 
Fund's primary goal of generating a high level of capital appreciation, but 
with less risk than a typical equity fund. 

                                     2-17 
<PAGE> 

                             TOTAL RETURN SERIES 


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DESCRIPTION OF LINE CHART

               Total                        Lipper Analytical
               Return        S&P 500        Services Flexible
               Series        Stock Index*   Fund**
12/31/86       $10,000       $10,000        $10,000
12/31/87        11,258        10,517         10,620
12/31/88        11,520        12,253         11,547
12/31/89        13,811        16,104         13,546
12/31/90        14,587        15,590         13,446
12/31/91        18,881        20,352         16,866
12/31/92        20,896        21,917         18,251
12/31/93        23,198        24,109         20,275
12/31/94        22,862        24,427         19,823
12/31/95        27,027        33,590         24,759
12/31/96        29,473        41,398         28,127
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ending 12/31/96 

                                               1 Year    5 Years    10 Years 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return Series                             9.05%     9.32%      11.40% 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Analytical Services Flexible Fund**     13.59%    10.75%      10.89% 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Stock Index*                           23.25%    15.26%      15.27% 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This chart assumes an initial gross investment of $10,000 made on 12/31/86. 
Returns shown include the reinvestment of all distributions at net asset 
value, and the change in share price for the stated period. Returns indicate 
past performance, which is not predictive of future performance. Investment 
return and net asset value will fluctuate, so that your shares, when 
redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. 

 * The S&P 500 Stock Index is an unmanaged but commonly used measure of stock 
   total return performance. 
** The Lipper Analytical Services Flexible Fund category is an average 
   composed of 185 funds; the 5 and 10 year returns are derived from 
   compounding the yearly returns. Performance is based on the 
   reinvestment of all distributions and does not reflect the effects of 
   sales charges. 

                           SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS 
                              December 31, 1996 

                                      STANDARD 
                                      & POOR'S      PAR 
                                       RATING      VALUE 
                                    (Unaudited)    (000)        VALUE 
                                    ------------  -------- --------------- 
U.S GOVERNMENT SECURITIES--4.3% 
U.S. Treasury Bonds--0.7% 
 U.S. Treasury Bonds 6%, '26            AAA       $ 2,850   $  2,592,608
                                                            ------------
U.S. Treasury Notes--3.6% 
 U.S. Treasury Notes 5.75%, '98         AAA        11,000     10,971,290
 U.S. Treasury Notes 5.875%, '99        AAA         1,650      1,643,296
 U.S. Treasury Notes 6.50%, '06         AAA         1,000      1,005,625
                                                            ------------
                                                              13,620,211
                                                            ------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES 
 (Identified cost $16,120,992)                                16,212,819
                                                            ------------
                                                   SHARES 
                                                  ------- 
COMMON STOCKS--70.5% 
Advertising--0.7% 
 Omnicom Group, Inc.                               56,500      2,584,875
                                                            ------------
Aerospace & Defense--2.0% 
 Boeing Co.                                        70,600      7,510,075
                                                            ------------


                                                   SHARES       VALUE 
                                                 ---------  ------------
Banks--4.0% 
 Ahmanson (H.F.) & Co.                             91,400    $ 2,970,500
 Golden West Financial Corp.                       50,000      3,156,250
 Great Western Financial Corp.                    159,100      4,613,900
 Wells Fargo & Co.                                 15,100      4,073,225
                                                              ----------
                                                              14,813,875
                                                              ----------
Beverages--1.0% 
 Seagram Ltd.                                      94,700      3,669,625
                                                              ----------
Chemical--2.3% 
 Du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.                   47,000      4,435,625
 Monsanto Co.                                     109,800      4,268,475
                                                              ----------
                                                               8,704,100
                                                              ----------
Computer Software & Services--8.1% 
 Computer Associates International, Inc.           93,400      4,646,650
 Fiserv, Inc. (b)                                 117,900      4,332,825
 HBO & Co.                                         27,900      1,656,563
 Microsoft Corp. (b)                               86,200      7,122,275
  
                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-18 
<PAGE> 

                             TOTAL RETURN SERIES 

                                       SHARES        VALUE 
                                      ---------  -------------- 
Computer Software & Services--continued 
 Oracle Corp. (b)                       96,500   $  4,028,875
 Parametric Technology Corp. (b)        96,800      4,973,100
 Sungard Data Systems, Inc. (b)         91,700      3,622,150
                                                  -----------
                                                   30,382,438
                                                  -----------
Conglomerates--2.2% 
 AlliedSignal, Inc.                     80,800      5,413,600
 Tyco International Ltd.                55,500      2,934,563
                                                  -----------
                                                    8,348,163
                                                  -----------
Containers--1.1% 
 Crown Cork & Seal, Inc.                76,300      4,148,812
                                                  -----------
Cosmetics & Soaps--2.1% 
 Colgate Palmolive Co.                  50,400      4,649,400
 Procter & Gamble Co.                   28,900      3,106,750
                                                  -----------
                                                    7,756,150
                                                  -----------
Diversified Financial Services--1.0% 
 Federal National Mortgage Assoc.      104,100      3,877,725
                                                  -----------
Diversified Miscellaneous--1.0% 
 CUC International, Inc. (b)           152,700      3,626,625
                                                  -----------
Electrical Equipment--1.9% 
 General Electric Co.                   30,500      3,015,687
 Honeywell, Inc.                        64,000      4,208,000
                                                  -----------
                                                    7,223,687
                                                  -----------
Electronics--1.2% 
 Intel Corp.                            35,400      4,635,188
                                                  -----------
Healthcare--Diversified--3.0% 
 American Home Products Corp.          121,200      7,105,350
 Warner-Lambert Co.                     54,000      4,050,000
                                                  -----------
                                                   11,155,350
                                                  -----------
Healthcare--Drugs--3.3% 
 Biochem Pharmaceutical, Inc. (b)      77,900      3,914,475
 Lilly (Eli) & Co.                      49,800      3,635,400
 Pfizer, Inc.                           60,400      5,005,650
                                                  -----------
                                                   12,555,525
                                                  -----------
Lodging & Restaurants--1.6% 
 Marriott International, Inc.          106,000      5,856,500
                                                  -----------
Machinery--1.7% 
 Caterpillar, Inc.                      36,400      2,739,100
 Deere & Co.                            87,100      3,538,437
                                                  -----------
                                                    6,277,537
                                                  -----------
Medical Products & Supplies--3.2% 
 Boston Scientific Corp. (b)           101,400      6,084,000
 Medtronic, Inc.                        86,500      5,882,000
                                                  -----------
                                                   11,966,000
                                                  -----------
Metals & Mining--1.1% 
 Aluminum Company of America            64,700      4,124,625
                                                  -----------
Natural Gas--6.1% 
 Anadarko Petroleum Corp.               56,800      3,677,800
 Apache Corp.                          115,000      4,068,125
 Coastal Corp.                          18,400        899,300
 Columbia Gas System, Inc.              13,100        833,488
 KN Energy, Inc.                        22,000        863,500
 PanEnergy Corp.                        53,300      2,398,500
 Questar Corp.                          22,000        808,500
 Sonat, Inc.                            82,000      4,223,000
 Tejas Gas Corp. (b)                    21,000      1,000,125
 Williams Companies, Inc.              107,250      4,021,875
                                                  -----------
                                                   22,794,213
                                                  -----------
Office & Business Equipment--1.2% 
 Hewlett Packard Co.                    87,300   $  4,386,825
                                                  -----------
Oil--0.5% 
 Triton Energy Ltd. (b)                 39,200      1,901,200
                                                  -----------
Oil Service & Equipment--6.8% 
 BJ Services Co. (b)                    91,600      4,671,600
 Baker Hughes, Inc.                    150,500      5,192,250
 Halliburton Co.                        99,600      6,000,900
 Noble Drilling Corp. (b)              241,500      4,799,813
 Varco International, Inc. (b)         121,000      2,798,125
 Weatherford Enterra, Inc. (b)          60,500      1,815,000
                                                  -----------
                                                   25,277,688
                                                  -----------
Retail--3.6% 
 Home Depot, Inc.                      108,000      5,413,500
 TJX Companies, Inc.                    90,300      4,277,962
 Tiffany & Co.                         106,000      3,882,250
                                                  -----------
                                                   13,573,712
                                                  -----------
Telecommunications Equipment--6.5% 
 Andrew Corp. (b)                       30,700      1,629,019
 Ascend Communications, Inc. (b)        54,900      3,410,663
 Cisco Systems, Inc. (b)               180,400     11,477,950
 Lucent Technologies, Inc.             113,200      5,235,500
 Tellabs, Inc. (b)                      66,500      2,502,062
                                                  -----------
                                                   24,255,194
                                                  -----------
Textile & Apparel--3.3% 
 Liz Claiborne, Inc.                    86,300      3,333,337
 Nautica Enterprises, Inc. (b)          68,000      1,717,000
 Nike, Inc. Class B                     69,900      4,176,525
 Tommy Hilfiger Corp. (b)               63,300      3,038,400
                                                  -----------
                                                   12,265,262
                                                  -----------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $247,433,533)                   263,670,969
                                                  -----------
FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS--2.0% 
Chemical--1.1% 
 Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc. 
  (Canada)                              50,000      4,250,000
                                                  -----------
Textile & Apparel--0.9% 
 Gucci Group NV-NY (Italy)              51,600      3,295,950
                                                  -----------
TOTAL FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $7,536,032)                       7,545,950
                                                  -----------


                                      STANDARD 
                                      & POOR'S      PAR 
                                       RATING      VALUE 
                                    (Unaudited)    (000) 
                                    ------------  --------- 
MUNICIPAL BONDS--2.6% 
California--1.3% 
 Kern County Pension Obligation 
  Taxable 7.26%, '14                    AAA       $ 1,500       1,478,490 
 Long Beach Pension Obligation 
  Taxable 6.87%, '06                    AAA           840         841,907 
 San Bernardino County Obligation 
  Revenue Taxable 6.87%, '08            AAA           410         407,007 
 San Bernardino County Obligation 
  Revenue Taxable 6.94%, '09            AAA         1,110       1,106,215 
 Ventura County Pension Taxable 
  6.54%, '05                            AAA           975         960,267
                                                             ------------
                                                                4,793,886
                                                             ------------

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-19 
<PAGE> 

                             TOTAL RETURN SERIES 

                                       STANDARD 
                                       & POOR'S       PAR 
                                        RATING       VALUE 
                                      (Unaudited)    (000)        VALUE 
                                     ------------  ---------  -------------- 
Florida--1.3% 
 Dade County Ed. Facs. Authority 
  5.75%, '20                           AAA          $   285   $    288,500
 Miami Beach Special Obligation 
  Taxable 8.60%, '21                   AAA            3,210      3,513,249
 University Miami Exchange Revenue A 
  Taxable 7.65%, '20                   AAA            1,080      1,090,076
                                                                ----------
                                                                 4,891,825
                                                                ----------
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS 
 (Identified cost $9,731,150)                                    9,685,711
                                                                ----------
NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--5.7% 
Asset-Backed Securities--0.7% 
 Airplanes Pass Through Trust 1D 
  10.875%, '19                         BB               560        617,719
 Fleetwood Credit Corp. 96-B, A 
  6.90%, '12                           AAA              948        957,182
 Green Tree Financial Corp. 96-2, M1 
  7.60%, '27                           AA-            1,075      1,079,367
                                                                ----------
                                                                 2,654,268
                                                                ----------
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--4.9% 
 CS First Boston Mortgage 95-AE1, B 
  7.182%, '27                          AA-            1,350      1,344,305
 GE Capital Mortgage Service 96-8, M 
  7.25%, '26                           AA               249        242,177
 Lehman Commercial Conduit 95-C2, B 
  7.184%, '05                          AA             1,650      1,657,734
 Merrill Lynch Mortgage, Inc. 95-C2, 
  B 7.61%, '21                         Aa(c)            893        904,589
 Merrill Lynch Mortgage, Inc. 96-C1, 
  B 7.42%, '28                         AA               660        667,116
 Nationslink Funding Corp. 96-1, B 
  7.69%, '05                           AA               450        466,875
 Residential Asset Securitization 
  Trust 96-A8, A1 8%, '26              AAA              958        972,129
 Residential Funding Mortgage 96-S1, 
  A11 7.10%, '26                       AAA            1,500      1,459,453
 Residential Funding Mortgage 96-S4, 
  M1 7.25%, '26                        AA               993        964,401
 Resolution Trust Corp. 93-C1, B 
  8.75%, '24                           Aa(c)          1,600      1,636,500
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-C2, B 
  6.80%, '27                           Aa(c)            887        877,338
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-C1, B 
  6.90%, '27                           Aa(c)          1,900      1,882,781
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-2, M1 
  7.15%, '29                           Aa(c)          1,413      1,416,052
 Securitized Asset Sales, Inc. 93-J, 
  2B 6.808%, '23                       A(c)             978        911,978
 Structured Asset Securities Corp. 
  95-C1, C 7.375%, '24                 A                930        929,855
 Structured Asset Securities Corp. 
  95-C4, B 7%, '26                     AA             1,650      1,627,313
 Structured Asset Securities Corp. 
  96-CFL, C 6.525%, '28                A                520        508,300
                                                                ----------
                                                                18,468,896
                                                                ----------
Paper & Forest Products--0.1% 
 Buckeye Cellulose Corp. 9.25%, '08    BB-              350        364,875
                                                                ----------
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS 
 (Identified cost $21,435,236)                                  21,488,039
                                                                ----------
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES--2.4% 
Argentina--0.4% 
 Republic of Argentina Discount L-GL 
  Euro 6.375%, '23 (e)                 BB-          $ 1,800   $  1,389,375
                                                                ----------
Brazil--0.3% 
 Republic of Brazil Discount ZL Euro 
  6.50%, '24 (e)                       B+               800        617,500
 Republic of Brazil Par Z-L Euro 
  4.25%, '24 (e)                       B(c)           1,000        630,000
                                                                ----------
                                                                 1,247,500
                                                                ----------
Colombia--0.9% 
 Republic of Colombia Yankee 7.25%, 
  '04                                  BBB-           3,500      3,412,500
                                                                ----------
Mexico--0.4% 
 United Mexican States 144A 7.563%, 
  '01 (d) (e)                          Baa(c)           350        350,822
 United Mexican States Euro D 6.352%, 
  '19 (e) (f)                          BB             1,300      1,121,250
                                                                ----------
                                                                 1,472,072
                                                                ----------
Panama--0.4% 
 Panama IRB 144A 3.50%, 
  '14 (d) (e)                          NR               700        486,938
 Panama PDI 144A, PIK interest 
  capitalization, 6.75%, '16 (d) (e)   NR             1,150        911,355
                                                                ----------
                                                                 1,398,293
                                                                ----------
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES 
 (Identified cost $7,885,326)                                    8,919,740
                                                                ----------
FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--1.0% 
Chile--0.1% 
 Petropower Funding 144A 7.36%, 
  '14 (d)                              BBB              500        477,150
                                                                ----------
Colombia--0.9% 
 Financiera Energ. Nacional EMTN Euro 
  9%, '99                              BBB-           3,200      3,356,000
                                                                ----------
TOTAL FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS 
 (Identified cost $3,776,800)                                    3,833,150
                                                                ----------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--88.5% 
 (Identified cost $313,919,069)                                331,356,378
                                                                ----------
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--11.4% 
Commercial Paper--10.0% 
 Abbott Laboratories 5.42%, 1-7-97     A-1+           3,770      3,766,595
 Cargill, Inc. 5.43%, 1-10-97          A-1+           1,015      1,013,622
 Bellsouth Capital Funding Corp. 
  5.40%, 1-14-97                       A-1+           2,375      2,370,369
 Receivables Capital Corp. 5.45%, 
  1-17-97                              A-1+             724        722,246
 Private Export Funding Corp. 5.30%, 
  1-28-97                              A-1+           2,855      2,842,839
 General Electric Capital Corp. 
  5.50%, 1-30-97                       A-1+           3,500      3,500,000
 Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. 
  5.30%, 1-31-97                       A-1+           4,000      3,980,505
 Kellogg Co. 5.35%, 2-5-97             A-1+           2,000      1,989,597
 Preferred Receivables Funding Corp. 
  5.35%, 2-13-97                       A-1            5,000      4,966,098
 General Re Corp. 5.30%, 2-14-97       A-1+           2,500      2,482,479

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-20 
<PAGE> 

                             TOTAL RETURN SERIES 


                                       STANDARD 
                                       & POOR'S       PAR 
                                        RATING       VALUE 
                                      (Unaudited)    (000)        VALUE 
                                     ------------  ---------  -------------- 
Commercial Paper--continued 
 First Deposit Funding Trust 5.33%, 
  3-14-97                              A-1          $ 3,617    $ 3,575,405
 Asset Securitization Cooperative 
  Corp. 5.36%, 3-18-97                 A-1+           4,435      4,381,292
 Receivables Capital Corp. 5.39%, 
  5-1-97                               A-1+           2,000      1,963,560
                                                                ----------
                                                                37,554,607
                                                                ----------


                                                      PAR 
                                                     VALUE 
                                                     (000)        VALUE 
                                                   ---------  --------------- 
Federal Agency Securities--1.4% 
 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 5.24%, 
  2-27-97                                          $  5,065    $  5,020,212
                                                               ------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS 
 (Identified cost $42,590,757)                                  42,574,819
                                                               ------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--99.9% 
 (Identified cost $356,509,826)                                373,931,197(a) 
 Cash and receivables, less liabilities--0.1%                      312,478
                                                               ------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%                                            $374,243,675
                                                               ============

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment 
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $24,226,359 and gross 
    depreciation of $6,804,988 for income tax purposes. At December 31, 1996, 
    the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was 
    $356,509,826. 
(b) Non-income producing. 
(c) As rated by Moodys, Fitch or Duff & Phelps. 
(d) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act 
    of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from 
    registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 
    1996, these securities amounted to a value of $2,226,265 or 0.6% of net 
    assets. 
(e) Variable or step coupon bond; interest rate shown reflects the rate 
    currently in effect. 
(f) Rights incorporated as a unit. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 


                                     2-21 
<PAGE> 

                             TOTAL RETURN SERIES 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Assets 
 Investment securities at value (Identified cost $356,509,826)                           $373,931,197 
 Receivable for investment securities sold                                                        926 
 Receivable for fund shares sold                                                              112,271 
 Interest and dividends receivable                                                          1,117,628
                                                                                         ------------
  Total assets                                                                            375,162,022
                                                                                         ------------
Liabilities 
 Custodian                                                                                    623,987
 Investment advisory fee                                                                      185,569
 Financial agent fee                                                                           19,089
 Trustees' fee                                                                                  8,466
 Accrued expenses                                                                              81,236
                                                                                         ------------
  Total liabilities                                                                           918,347
                                                                                         ------------
Net Assets                                                                               $374,243,675
                                                                                         ============
Net Assets Consist of: 
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest                                        $351,775,454
 Undistributed net investment income                                                          414,865
 Accumulated net realized gain                                                              4,631,985
 Net unrealized appreciation                                                               17,421,371
                                                                                         ------------
Net Assets                                                                               $374,243,675
                                                                                         ============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization           27,417,598
                                                                                         ============
Net asset value and offering price per share                                                   $13.65
                                                                                               ======

</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
For the year ended December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
Investment Income 
 Interest                                                                                 $ 8,131,784
 Dividends                                                                                  2,771,915
                                                                                         ------------
  Total investment income                                                                  10,903,699
                                                                                         ------------
Expenses 
 Investment advisory fee                                                                    2,146,571
 Financial agent fee                                                                          220,535
 Printing                                                                                      89,724
 Custodian                                                                                     62,021
 Professional                                                                                  28,906
 Trustees                                                                                      18,612
 Miscellaneous                                                                                 22,054
                                                                                         ------------
  Total expenses                                                                            2,588,423
                                                                                         ------------
Net investment income                                                                       8,315,276
                                                                                         ------------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 
 Net realized gain on securities                                                           25,862,109
 Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions                                           (10,202) 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                       (2,475,007) 
                                                                                         ------------
Net gain on investments                                                                    23,376,900
                                                                                         ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                      $31,692,176
                                                                                         ============
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-22 
<PAGE> 

                             TOTAL RETURN SERIES 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year            Year 
                                                                                Ended           Ended 
                                                                              12/31/96        12/31/95 
                                                                          ---------------   --------------- 
<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>          
From Operations 
 Net investment income                                                      $  8,315,276    $ 10,538,823 
 Net realized gain                                                            25,851,907      23,632,796 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                         (2,475,007)     19,082,703 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                         31,692,176      53,254,322 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
From Distributions to Shareholders 
 Net investment income                                                        (7,996,685)    (10,497,130) 
 Net realized gains                                                          (23,234,158)    (21,419,046) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders                   (31,230,843)    (31,916,176) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
From Share Transactions 
 Proceeds from sales of shares (4,387,120 and 5,465,213 shares, 
  respectively)                                                               61,269,234      75,182,133 
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions 
  (2,254,196 and 2,341,879 shares, respectively)                              31,230,843      31,916,176 
 Cost of shares repurchased (5,175,253 and 4,646,668 shares, 
  respectively)                                                              (72,555,884)    (63,681,697) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Increase in net assets from share transactions                               19,944,193      43,416,612 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Net increase in net assets                                                   20,405,526      64,754,758 
Net Assets 
 Beginning of period                                                         353,838,149     289,083,391 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $414,865 
  and $154,166, respectively)                                               $374,243,675    $353,838,149 
                                                                            ============    ============ 
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Year Ended December 31, 
                                          1996           1995           1994           1993           1992 
                                     -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>      
Net asset value, beginning of period      $13.63         $12.68         $13.71         $12.86         $12.97 
Income from investment operations 
 Net investment income                      0.32           0.45           0.36(1)(3)     0.23(3)        0.37(3) 
 Net realized and unrealized gain 
  (loss)                                    0.91           1.84          (0.56)          1.17           0.99 
                                        --------       --------       --------       --------       -------- 
  Total from investment operations          1.23           2.29          (0.20)          1.40           1.36 
                                        --------       --------       --------       --------       -------- 
Less distributions 
 Dividends from net investment 
  income                                   (0.31)         (0.45)         (0.37)         (0.23)         (0.37) 
 Dividends from net realized gains         (0.90)         (0.89)         (0.46)         (0.32)         (1.10) 
                                        --------       --------       --------       --------       -------- 
  Total distributions                      (1.21)         (1.34)         (0.83)         (0.55)         (1.47) 
                                        --------       --------       --------       --------       -------- 
Change in net asset value                   0.02           0.95          (1.03)          0.85          (0.11) 
                                        --------       --------       --------       --------       -------- 
Net asset value, end of period            $13.65         $13.63         $12.68         $13.71         $12.86 
                                        ========       ========       ========       ========       ======== 
Total return                                9.05%         18.22%         -1.45%         11.02%         10.67% 
Ratios/supplemental data: 
Net assets, end of period 
  (thousands)                           $374,244       $353,838       $289,083       $256,011       $163,628 
Ratio to average net assets of: 
 Operating expenses                         0.70%          0.67%(2)       0.74%          0.74%          0.50% 
 Net investment income                      2.26%          3.28%          2.71%          1.82%          2.90% 
Portfolio turnover rate                      287%           170%           220%           269%           326% 
Average commission rate paid(4)          $0.0530            N/A            N/A            N/A            N/A 
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of 
    $0.001 per share. 
(2) The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excludes the effect 
    of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were included, 
    the ratio would not significantly differ. 
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding. 
(4) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is 
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities 
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not 
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal 
    basis. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-23 
<PAGE> 

                             INTERNATIONAL SERIES 

  Most foreign equity markets have produced excellent returns over the last 
twelve months, despite a rising U.S. dollar. In addition to the continued 
strong performance in the U.S., Europe also stood out. Almost all European 
markets benefited from corporate restructuring, falling interest rates and 
the likelihood of more shareholder-friendly policies. Additionally, countries 
such as Germany, Sweden, Finland and the United Kingdom have been further 
bolstered by share buybacks as well as merger and acquisition activity. 

  Despite a strong start, Japan's performance over this reporting period has 
been a major disappointment. Poor corporate earnings growth and a weak 
domestic economy led to a serious deterioration in investor sentiment. In 
contrast to Japan, other Far East countries such as Taiwan, Malaysia, 
Indonesia and Hong Kong posted stellar gains during this twelve-month period. 

  Lastly, most Latin American markets moved higher over this reporting period, 
earning double digit returns. An improved economic outlook, lower interest 
rates and strong capital inflows served as catalysts for this solid 
performance. As measured in U.S. dollars, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina 
were among the best performing countries in this region, while Chile and Peru 
were among the laggards. 

  Phoenix Edge International Series posted very strong results over this 
reporting cycle. For the twelve months ended December 31, 1996, the Fund 
provided a total return of 18.65%. These results compared very favorably to 
the Morgan Stanley International EAFE Index, which gained 6.36% over the same 
period. All of these figures assume reinvestment of any distributions, but 
exclude the effect of sales charges. 

  During the year, Fund performance benefited from the portfolio's modest 
overweighting in Europe and its underweighted position in Japan. Strong stock 
selection in Europe and our continued focus on such themes as Corporate 
Restructuring and Growth in Services also boosted results. Other positive 
contributors included our recent overweighting of certain Asian countries, 
particularly Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as the Fund's use of currency 
hedges. 

  After a dismal first half in 1996, European economic growth is beginning to 
improve. We expect 1997 GDP to grow at about 2.5%, but it is unlikely that 
demand will be strong enough to exert much upward pressure on interest rates 
until late in the year. Except for the United Kingdom and a few smaller 
European countries, unemployment is showing no signs of declining. Moreover, 
the pressure on governments to cut spending will continue to be a drag on 
growth going forward. This, coupled with both public and private sector 
restructuring, means it will be even more important to focus on those 
companies that are making the difficult choices that will deliver value to 
their shareholders. 

  In Japan, the outlook for 1997 is also modest. It appears that most globally 
active companies in this country have already done as much restructuring as 
possible without a radical philosophical change towards "U.S. style 
restructuring." This would entail layoffs and unfriendly takeovers, supported 
by government deregulation and tax-reform, and it is doubtful that this type 
of change will occur in the near term. On the positive side, the potential 
for improved economic growth in the rest of the world could tighten overall 
capacity and allow even the weakest Japanese companies to improve their 
profit margins. We will continue to monitor Japan's economy for signs of 
improvement, but currently see better prospects elsewhere. 

  In Asia, we remain very positive on Hong Kong's near-term outlook. As a 
country, we believe that Hong Kong will remain self-confident immediately 
prior to and after the handover to China on June 30, 1997. We also expect 
Taiwan and Malaysia to continue to do well. However, our outlook for 
Singapore is rather negative due to slowing economic growth and a lack of 
choice in this market. We are also concerned about the prospects for India 
and Thailand, given their weak governments and the severe structural changes 
needed to turn around both economies. 

  In Latin America, Mexico and Argentina are seeing economic re-acceleration 
after the severe recession of 1995 and early 1996. While this is clearly good 
news, flawed economic reform processes still remain and are now causing 
problems in Brazil. The Fund intends to have exposure to this region, but 
potential currency depreciation may limit prospective gains. Since other 
emerging countries may provide better opportunities, we will look for new 
markets which can provide above-average economic and earnings growth. 

  Overall, we expect foreign markets to continue to perform well in 1997 due 
to low interest rates, improved economic growth and corporate restructuring 
efforts. If world economic growth begins to accelerate dramatically, we will 
increase the Fund's exposure to economically sensitive stocks. At present, 
however, we continue to focus on themes that should provide secular growth 
and hence, strong performance. Moving forward, we believe the Fund is well 
positioned for the coming new year. 

                                     2-24 
<PAGE> 

                             INTERNATIONAL SERIES 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DESCRIPTION OF LINE CHART

               International    MSCI EAFE        MSCI EAFE
               Series           Index*           Excluding JAPAN
5/1/90         $10,000          $10000           $10,000
12/31/90         9,190            9,640           10,014
12/31/91        11,008           10,884           11,608
12/31/92         9,589            9,559           11,270
12/31/93        13,275           12,708           15,498
12/31/94        13,279           13,732           15,379
12/31/95        14,552           15,318           18,541
12/31/96        17,266           16,293           22,514
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ending 12/31/96 
                                                              From 
                                                            Inception 
                                                            5/1/90 to 
                                       1 Year    5 Years    12/31/96 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
International Series                   18.65%     9.44%       8.53% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
MSCI EAFE Index*                        6.36%     8.48%       7.59% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

This chart assumes an initial gross investment of $10,000 made on 5/1/90 
(inception of the Fund). Returns shown include the reinvestment of all 
distributions at net asset value, and the change in share price for the 
stated period. Returns indicate past performance, which is not predictive of 
future performance. Investment return and net asset value will fluctuate so 
that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original 
cost. Foreign investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation 
and less public disclosure, as well as economic and political risks. 

*The Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE Index is an unmanaged but 
 commonly used measure of foreign stock fund performance which includes net 
 dividends reinvested. The EAFE index is an aggregate of 19 individual 
 country indexes in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. 

                           SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS 
                              December 31, 1996 

                                                   SHARES        VALUE 
                                                ------------  -------------- 
COMMON STOCKS--88.5% 
Belgium--1.4% 
 Credit Communal Holding/Dexia (Banks) (b)         26,000     $ 2,369,626
                                                               ----------
Brazil--1.8% 
 Telebras Sponsored ADR (Utility--Telephone)       40,000       3,060,000
                                                               ----------
France--8.0% 
 AXA SA (Insurance)                                33,369       2,118,178
 BIC SA (Miscellaneous)                            13,000       1,945,486
 Cardif SA (Insurance)                             15,000       2,063,016
 Carrefour Supermarche (Retail--Food)               3,520       2,285,864
 Louis Dreyfus Citrus (Food) (b)                   42,500       1,389,771
 Rexel SA (Wholesale & Distribution)                4,350       1,317,878
 Salomon SA (Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming)      20,000       1,711,966
 Sommer-Allibert (Auto & Truck Parts)              33,600       1,001,789
                                                               ----------
                                                               13,833,948
                                                               ----------
Germany--5.0% 
 Adidas AG (Textile & Apparel)                     27,300     $ 2,356,044
 BASF AG (Chemical)                                63,000       2,423,360
 SGL Carbon AG (Chemical)                          17,400       2,190,384
 VEBA AG (Utility--Electric)                       28,400       1,640,127
                                                               ----------
                                                                8,609,915
                                                               ----------
Hong Kong--13.8% 
 Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd. (Real Estate)          514,200       4,570,356
 Dao Heng Bank Group Ltd. (Banks)                 188,000         901,731
 Great Eagle Holdings Ltd. (Real Estate)          228,000         940,310
 Guoco Group Ltd. (Diversified Financial 
  Services)                                       281,000       1,573,039
 Henderson China Holding Ltd. (Real Estate)           828           1,884
 Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. (Real 
  Estate)                                         586,000       5,909,320
 Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. (Conglomerates)           564,000       4,429,663
 Hysan Development Co. Ltd. (Real Estate)         454,000       1,807,806
 New World Development Co. Ltd. (Real Estate)     192,000       1,296,979
 Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. (Real Estate)       195,000       2,388,686
                                                               ----------
                                                               23,819,774
                                                               ----------

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-25 
<PAGE> 

                             INTERNATIONAL SERIES 

                                                   SHARES        VALUE 
                                                ------------  -------------- 
Indonesia--1.6% 
 PT Semen Gresik (Building & Materials)            690,000    $  2,219,682
 Wicaksana Overseas International (Wholesale & 
  Distribution)                                    462,000         528,000
                                                               -----------
                                                                 2,747,682
                                                               -----------
Italy--4.8% 
 Fila Holding SPA ADR (Textile & Apparel)           51,600       2,999,250
 Gucci Group NV (Textile & Apparel)                 20,600       1,381,511
 Gucci Group NV-NY (Textile & Apparel)              32,500       2,075,938
 Stet-Societa Finanziaria Telefonica SPA 
  (Utility--Telephone)                             400,000       1,815,192
                                                               -----------
                                                                 8,271,891
                                                               -----------
Japan--10.3% 
 Canon, Inc. (Office & Business Equipment)          87,000       1,918,842
 Circle K Japan Co. Ltd. (Retail--Food)             37,000       1,593,866
 Hitachi Maxell (Electronics)                       42,000         926,338
 Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (Autos & Trucks)              81,000       2,309,899
 Keyence Corp. Ltd. (Electronics)                   13,000       1,601,620
 Nintendo Corp. Ltd. (Entertainment, Leisure & 
  Gaming)                                           27,000       1,928,405
 Nippon Television Network ( Publishing, 
  Broadcasting, Printing & Cable)                    5,000       1,507,711
 TDK Corp. (Electronics)                            27,000       1,756,268
 Takeda Chemical Industries (Health Care-- 
  Drugs)                                            91,000       1,905,143
 Toyota Motor Corp. (Autos & Trucks)                63,000       1,807,444
 Xebio Co. Ltd. (Retail)                            21,000         624,192
                                                               -----------
                                                                17,879,728
                                                               -----------
Malaysia--3.1% 
 Commerce Asset Holding Berhad (Banks)             240,000       1,805,583
 Renong Berhad (Engineering & Construction)      1,000,000       1,773,906
 United Engineers Ltd. (Building & Materials)      201,000       1,814,611
                                                               -----------
                                                                 5,394,100
                                                               -----------
Mexico--2.9% 
 Apasco SA de CV (Building & Materials)            230,000       1,577,744
 Grupo Carso SA de CV Series A1 (Conglomerates)    350,000       1,845,147
 Grupo Industrial Maseca SA de CV Class B 
  (Food)                                         1,310,000       1,660,798
                                                               -----------
                                                                 5,083,689
                                                               -----------
Netherlands--5.1% 
 Ahrend Groep NV (Office & Business Equipment)      33,348       1,856,630
 Akzo Nobel (Chemical)                              12,000       1,637,278
 IHC Caland (Oil Service & Equipment)               36,750       2,097,026
 Samas Groep-CVA (Office & Business Equipment)      20,742         887,384
 VNU-Verenigd Bezit (Publishing, Broadcasting, 
  Printing & Cable)                                113,000       2,358,386
                                                               -----------
                                                                 8,836,704
                                                               -----------
Norway--1.0% 
 Storebrand ASA (Insurance) (b)                    287,000       1,663,039
                                                               -----------
Peru--0.8% 
 Telefonica Del Peru SA (Utility--Telephone)       708,945       1,326,713
                                                               -----------
Portugal--3.1% 
 Cimpor-Cimentos de Portugal SA (Building & 
  Materials)                                        81,000       1,741,565
 Portugal Telecom SA (Utility--Telephone)           68,700       1,955,903
 Telecel-Comunicacoes Pessoais (Utility-- 
  Telephone)                                        26,700       1,702,609
                                                               -----------
                                                                 5,400,077
                                                               -----------
Spain--1.8% 
 Empresa Nacional de Electricidad SA 
  (Utility--Electric)                               21,000    $  1,491,755
 Telefonica de Espana (Utility--Telephone)          67,700       1,569,214
                                                               -----------
                                                                 3,060,969
                                                               -----------
Sweden--2.3% 
 Frontec AB Series B (Computer Software & 
  Services) (b)                                    128,000       2,212,068
 Nordbanken AB (Banks)                              59,000       1,784,344
                                                               -----------
                                                                 3,996,412
                                                               -----------
Switzerland--4.5% 
 Ares-Serono Group B (Health Care--Drugs)            1,730       1,645,349
 CS Holding AG Registered Shares (Banks)            18,200       1,863,782
 Novartis AG Registered Shares (Health 
  Care--Drugs)                                       2,310       2,637,395
 Swiss Reinsurance--Registered (Insurance)           1,500       1,596,410
                                                               -----------
                                                                 7,742,936
                                                               -----------
Taiwan--0.0% 
 China Bills Finance Corp. (Commercial Finance) 
  (b)                                               70,345          64,717
                                                               -----------
United Kingdom--16.3% 
 Astec (BSR) PLC (Electronics)                     466,000       1,256,118
 Barclays PLC (Diversified Financial Services)     103,000       1,763,674
 British Aerospace PLC (Aerospace & Defense)       155,500       3,406,469
 Carlton Communications PLC (Publishing, 
  Broadcasting, Printing & Cable)                  208,000       1,831,525
 Compass Group PLC (Lodging & Restaurants)         304,000       3,212,733
 Granada Group PLC (Entertainment, Leisure & 
  Gaming)                                          143,000       2,108,412
 Lloyds TSB Group PLC (Diversified Financial 
  Services)                                        255,000       1,878,787
 Next PLC (Retail)                                 154,000       1,495,721
 Rolls-Royce PLC (Aerospace & Defense)             410,000       1,806,863
 Shell Transport & Trading Co. PLC (Oil)           153,000       2,648,631
 Siebe PLC (Electrical Equipment)                  156,000       2,888,790
 WPP Group PLC (Advertising)                       876,000       3,808,044
                                                               -----------
                                                                28,105,767
                                                               -----------
United States--0.9% 
 Latin American Discovery Fund, Inc. 
  (Multi-Industry)                                 121,000       1,512,500
                                                               -----------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $129,202,891)                                152,780,187
                                                               -----------
PREFERRED STOCKS--1.2% 
Germany--0.7% 
 Porsche AG (Autos & Trucks)                         1,300       1,147,231
                                                               -----------
United Kingdom--0.5% 
 Egypt Investment Co. (Multi-Industry) (b)          74,000         925,000
                                                               -----------
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $1,656,158)                                    2,072,231
                                                               -----------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--89.7% 
 (Identified cost $130,859,049)                                154,852,418
                                                               -----------

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-26 
<PAGE> 

                             INTERNATIONAL SERIES 

                                         STANDARD 
                                         & POOR'S      PAR 
                                          RATING      VALUE 
                                        (Unaudited)   (000)         VALUE 
                                       ------------  ---------  --------------- 
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--8.4% 
Commercial Paper--8.4% 
 Corporate Asset Funding Co. 6%, 1-6-97    A-1+      $ 1,900     $  1,898,417
 Kimberly-Clark Corp. 5.35%, 1-13-97       A-1+        2,315        2,310,872
 Greenwich Funding Corp. 5.49%, 1-14-97    A-1+        1,695        1,691,640
 General Electric Capital Corp. 5.40%, 
  1-16-97                                  A-1+        1,000          997,750
 Cargill, Inc. 5.45%, 1-17-97              A-1+          930          927,747
 Ciesco L.P. 5.65%, 1-22-97                A-1+        4,160        4,146,289
 GTE North, Inc. 5.48%, 1-22-97 (c)        A-1+        2,550        2,541,848
                                                                -------------
                                                                   14,514,563
                                                                -------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS 
 (Identified cost $14,514,563)                                     14,514,563
                                                                -------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--98.1% 
 (Identified cost $145,373,612)                                   169,366,981(a)
 Cash and receivables, less liabilities--1.9%                       3,300,674
                                                                -------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%                                               $172,667,655
                                                                =============


                           INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION 
                      As a Percentage of Total Value of 
                         Total Long-Term Investments 
                                 (Unaudited) 

Advertising                                        2.5% 
Aerospace & Defense                                3.4 
Auto & Truck Parts                                 0.6 
Autos & Trucks                                     3.4 
Banks                                              5.6 
Building & Materials                               4.7 
Chemical                                           4.0 
Commercial Finance                                 0.0 
Computer Software & Services                       1.4 
Conglomerates                                      4.1 
Diversified Financial Services                     3.4 
Electrical Equipment                               1.9 
Electronics                                        3.6 
Engineering & Construction                         1.1 
Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming                    3.7 
Food                                               2.0 
Health Care--Drugs                                 4.0 
Insurance                                          4.8 
Lodging & Restaurants                              2.1 
Miscellaneous                                      1.3 
Multi-Industry                                     1.6 
Office & Business Equipment                        3.0 
Oil                                                1.7 
Oil Service & Equipment                            1.4 
Publishing, Broadcasting, Printing & Cable         3.7 
Real Estate                                       10.9 
Retail                                             1.3 
Retail--Food                                       2.5 
Textile & Apparel                                  5.7 
Utility--Electric                                  2.0 
Utility--Telephone                                 7.4 
Wholesale & Distribution                           1.2 
                                                 ----- 
                                                 100.0% 
                                                 ===== 

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment 
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $25,748,811 and gross 
    depreciation of $1,913,191 for income tax purposes. At December 31, 1996, 
    the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was 
    $145,531,361. 

(b) Non-income producing. 

(c) Segregated as collateral for forward currency contracts. At December 31, 
    1996, these securities amounted to $2,541,848 or 1.5% of net assets. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 


                                     2-27 
<PAGE> 

                             INTERNATIONAL SERIES 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Assets 
 Investment securities at value (Identified cost $145,373,612)                           $169,366,981
 Foreign currency at value (Identified cost $2,182,271)                                     2,184,603
 Cash                                                                                          25,516
 Interest and dividends receivable                                                            218,008
 Tax reclaim receivable                                                                        47,888
 Net unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts                                  1,072,470
                                                                                         ------------
  Total assets                                                                            172,915,466
                                                                                         ------------
Liabilities 
 Payable for fund shares repurchased                                                            4,025
 Investment advisory fee                                                                      106,199
 Trustees' fee                                                                                  8,723
 Financial agent fee                                                                            8,046
 Accrued expenses                                                                             120,818
                                                                                         ------------
  Total liabilities                                                                           247,811
                                                                                         ------------
Net Assets                                                                               $172,667,655
                                                                                         ============
Net Assets Consist of: 
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest                                        $141,596,053
 Undistributed net investment income                                                        1,390,579
 Accumulated net realized gain                                                              4,614,897
 Net unrealized appreciation                                                               25,066,126
                                                                                         ------------
Net Assets                                                                               $172,667,655
                                                                                         ============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization           11,894,980
                                                                                         ============
Net asset value and offering price per share                                                   $14.52
                                                                                               ======
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
For the year ended December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
Investment Income 
 Dividends                                                                                $ 2,402,413 
 Interest                                                                                     690,679 
 Foreign taxes withheld                                                                      (237,840) 
                                                                                         ------------
  Total investment income                                                                   2,855,252
                                                                                         ------------
Expenses 
 Investment advisory fee                                                                    1,167,034
 Financial agent fee                                                                           93,363
 Custodian                                                                                    201,283
 Printing                                                                                      78,728
 Professional                                                                                  30,861
 Trustees                                                                                      18,764
 Miscellaneous                                                                                 26,314
                                                                                         ------------
  Total expenses                                                                            1,616,347
                                                                                         ------------
Net investment income                                                                       1,238,905
                                                                                         ------------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 
 Net realized gain on securities                                                            9,973,733
 Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions                                         2,075,251
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                       12,109,055
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency and foreign 
  currency transactions                                                                       962,538
                                                                                         ------------
Net gain on investments                                                                    25,120,577
                                                                                         ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                      $26,359,482
                                                                                         ============
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-28 
<PAGE> 

                             INTERNATIONAL SERIES 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year            Year 
                                                                                Ended           Ended 
                                                                              12/31/96        12/31/95 
                                                                          ---------------   --------------- 
<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>
From Operations 
 Net investment income                                                      $  1,238,905    $  1,247,800
 Net realized gain                                                            12,048,984       1,951,578
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                         13,071,593       8,552,168
                                                                            ------------    ------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                         26,359,482      11,751,546
                                                                            ------------    ------------
From Distributions to Shareholders 
 Net investment income                                                        (2,156,537)       (455,953) 
 In excess of net investment income                                             (272,380)             -- 
 Net realized gains                                                           (3,811,548)     (2,629,683) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders                    (6,240,465)     (3,085,636) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------
From Share Transactions 
 Proceeds from sales of shares (3,516,722 and 3,785,668, respectively)        48,544,295      45,431,812 
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions 
  (435,075 and 238,826  shares, respectively)                                  6,240,465       3,085,636 
 Cost of shares repurchased (2,645,302 and 4,795,590 shares, 
  respectively)                                                              (36,690,696)    (57,355,995) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------
 Increase (decrease) in net assets from share transactions                    18,094,064      (8,838,547) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------
 Net increase (decrease) in net assets                                        38,213,081        (172,637) 
Net Assets 
 Beginning of period                                                         134,454,574     134,627,211 
                                                                            ------------    ------------
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of 
  $1,390,579 and  $917,632, respectively)                                   $172,667,655    $134,454,574
                                                                            ============    ============
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
(Selected data for a share outstanding through the indicated period) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Year Ended December 31, 
                                     1996           1995           1994          1993           1992 
                                -------------- -------------- ---------------------------- -------------- 
<S>                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>     
Net asset value, beginning of 
  period                             $12.70         $11.85         $12.21         $8.82         $10.17 
Income from investment 
  operations 
 Net investment income                 0.11(3)        0.12(3)        0.08(3)       0.07(1)(3)     0.09(3) 
 Net realized and unrealized 
  gain (loss)                          2.25           1.02          (0.07)         3.32          (1.40) 
                                   --------       --------       --------       -------        ------- 
  Total from investment 
   operations                          2.36           1.14           0.01          3.39          (1.31) 
                                   --------       --------       --------       -------        ------- 
Less distributions 
 Dividends from net investment 
  income                              (0.19)         (0.04)         (0.03)           --          (0.04) 
 In excess of net investment 
  income                              (0.02)            --             --            --             -- 
 Dividends from net realized 
  gains                               (0.33)         (0.25)         (0.34)           --             -- 
                                   --------       --------       --------       -------        ------- 
  Total distributions                 (0.54)         (0.29)         (0.37)           --          (0.04) 
                                   --------       --------       --------       -------        ------- 
Change in net asset value              1.82           0.85          (0.36)         3.39          (1.35) 
                                   --------       --------       --------       -------        ------- 
Net asset value, end of period       $14.52         $12.70         $11.85        $12.21         $ 8.82 
                                   ========       ========       ========       =======        ======= 
Total return                          18.65%          9.59%          0.03%        38.44%        -12.89% 
Ratio/supplemental data: 
Net assets, end of period 
  (thousands)                      $172,668       $134,455       $134,627       $61,242        $13,772 
Ratio to average of net assets 
  of: 
 Operating expenses                    1.04%          1.07%          1.10%         1.15%          1.50% 
 Net investment income                 0.80%          0.95%          0.64%         0.49%          1.13% 
Portfolio turnover rate                 142%           249%           172%          193%            74% 
Average commission rate paid(2)     $0.0213            N/A            N/A           N/A            N/A 
</TABLE>

(1) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of 
    $0.05. 
(2) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is 
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities 
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not 
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal 
    basis. 
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-29 
<PAGE> 

                               BALANCED SERIES 

  Despite increasing interest rates and waning corporate earnings momentum, 
U.S. stock prices forged higher over this reporting period, fueled by 
unprecedented cash inflows into equity mutual funds and continued corporate 
share buybacks. Although this remarkable rally dates back to December 1994, 
the past year has been one of tremendous rotation among various sectors of 
the stock market--a manifestation of increasing investor uncertainty over the 
direction of interest rates and the economy. As measured by the Standard & 
Poor's 500 Stock Index, the U.S. equity market returned an impressive 23.25% 
during 1996. 

  While it may have been another record year for U.S. equities, the overall 
bond market produced less than stellar results. For the twelve months ended 
December 31, 1996, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, an unmanaged 
gauge of bond market performance, returned a mere 3.63%. Shifting market 
opinion over the direction of the U.S. economy contributed to much of the 
volatility in interest rates during this reporting period. As measured by the 
benchmark 30-year Treasury bond, interest rates started the year at 5.95%, 
climbed as high as 7.19% in July, and finished 1996 yielding 6.64%. Generally 
speaking, investors were well rewarded for moving down the credit-risk 
spectrum last year, as lower-quality bonds generally outperformed 
higher-quality issues. 

  Aided by the long bull market in U.S. stocks, Phoenix Edge Balanced Series 
posted double-digit gains during this latest fiscal year. For the twelve 
months ended December 31, 1996, the Fund provided a total return of 10.56%. 
Despite these respectable results, the Fund trailed its composite benchmark, 
which returned 14.33% over the same period.* All of these figures assume 
reinvestment of any distributions, but exclude the effect of sales charges. 

  Fund results over this latest reporting cycle were held back primarily 
because of weakness in some of our technology, consumer cyclical and health 
care holdings. Positive contributors to performance included excellent stock 
selection within the energy, consumer staples and basic materials sectors as 
well as a modest overweighting within the strongly performing capital goods 
group. Additionally, the portfolio's fixed-income segment continued to 
outperform its benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, 
throughout this reporting period. Our exposure to such non-traditional 
sectors of the bond market such as taxable municipals, commercial and 
non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, and emerging markets debt 
paid off handsomely during the year. 

  As we head into 1997, our near-term outlook calls for continued moderate 
economic growth, mild inflation and decelerating earnings growth. Given this 
investment environment, our equity strategy currently emphasizes quality, 
large-cap growth stocks and focuses on such compelling investment themes as 
21st Century Medicine (health care), Hybrid Network (technology) and 
Deregulating Financial Services (financial services). In terms of our 
fixed-income allocation, we continue to follow our sector rotation approach, 
with a strong emphasis on U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities. As 
of December 31, 1996, the Fund's asset allocation mix was 57% equity, 38% 
fixed income and 5% cash equivalents. 

*The Balanced Benchmark is calculated by Frank Russell Company based on the 
 performance of the following indexes: 55% S&P 500, 35% Lehman Brothers 
 Aggregate Bond Index and 10% 90-day Treasury Bills. 

                                     2-30 
<PAGE> 

                                BALANCED SERIES



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DESCRIPTION OF LINE CHART

                Balanced         Balanced
                Benchmark*       Series
5/1/92          $10,000          $10,000
12/31/92         10,712           10,972
12/31/93         11,702           11,912
12/31/94         11,725           11,579
12/31/95         14,917           14,274
12/31/96         17,056           15,782
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ending 12/31/96 

                                                   From 
                                                Inception 
                                                5/1/92 to 
                                       1 Year    12/31/96 
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Balanced Series                        10.56%     10.26% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Balanced Benchmark*                    14.33%     12.11% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------

This chart assumes an initial gross investment of $10,000 made on 5/1/92 
(inception of the Fund). Returns shown include the reinvestment of all 
distributions at net asset value, and the change in share price for the 
stated period. Returns indicate past performance, which is not predictive of 
future performance. Investment return and net asset value will fluctuate so 
that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original 
cost. 
*The Balanced Benchmark is calculated based upon the performance of the 
 following indices: 55% S&P 500/35% Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index/10% 
 90-day Treasury Bills and is produced by Frank Russell Company. 

                           SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS 
                              December 31, 1996 

                                       STANDARD 
                                       & POOR'S      PAR 
                                        RATING      VALUE 
                                      (Unaudited)   (000)        VALUE 
                                     ------------  --------  --------------- 
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES--24.3% 
U.S. Treasury Bonds--2.0% 
 U.S. Treasury Bonds 6%, '26           AAA         $ 4,595    $  4,180,012
                                                              ------------
U.S. Treasury Notes--19.5% 
 U.S. Treasury Notes 6.375%, '99       AAA           3,775       3,808,031
 U.S. Treasury Notes 6.875%, '00       AAA           3,500       3,578,365
 U.S. Treasury Notes 6.625%, '01       AAA           4,400       4,470,123
 U.S. Treasury Notes 6.50%, '05        AAA           3,300       3,319,206
 U.S. Treasury Notes 6.50%, '06        AAA          22,235      22,360,072
 U.S. Treasury Notes 6.875%, '06       AAA           2,150       2,216,515
                                                              ------------
                                                                39,752,312
                                                              ------------
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--2.8% 
 GNMA 6.50%, '23-'26                   AAA           5,962       5,718,193
                                                              ------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES 
(Identified cost $50,088,128)                                   49,650,517
                                                              ------------
NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--6.9% 
Asset-Backed Securities--1.1% 
 Airplanes Pass Through Trust 1D 
  10.875%, '19                         BB              150         165,460
 Fleetwood Credit Corp. 96-B, A 
  6.90%, '12                           AAA             758         765,746
 Green Tree Financial Corp. 96-2, M1 
  7.60%, '27                           AA-             675         677,742
 Green Tree Financial Corp. 96-3, B1 
  7.70%, '27                           BBB+            625         629,883
                                                              ------------
                                                                 2,238,831
                                                              ------------
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--5.4% 
 CS First Boston Mortgage 95-AE1, B 
  7.182%, '27                          AA-         $   425    $    423,207
 DLJ Mortgage Acceptance 96-CF1, A1B 
  144A 7.58%, '28 (c)                  AAA             400         413,500
 GE Capital Mortgage Service 96-8, M 
  7.25%, '26                           AA              249         242,177
 Lehman Commercial Conduit 95-C2, B 
  7.184%, '05                          AA              425         426,992
 Merrill Lynch Mortgage, Inc. 95-C2, 
  B 7.61%, '21                         AA(d)           223         226,147
 Merrill Lynch Mortgage, Inc. 95-C3, 
  B 7.149%, '25                        AA              400         399,000
 Merrill Lynch Mortgage, Inc. 96-C1, 
  B 7.42%, '28                         AA              650         657,008
 Nationslink Funding Corp. 96-1, B 
  7.69%, '05                           AA              450         466,875
 Residential Asset Securitization 
  Trust 96-A8, A1 8%, '26              AAA             671         680,490
 Residential Funding Mortgage 96-S1, 
  A11 7.10%, '26                       AAA           1,000         972,969
 Residential Funding Mortgage 96-S4, 
  M1 7.25%, '26                        AA              993         964,402
 Residential Funding Mortgage 96-S8, 
  A-4 6.75%, '11                       AAA             680         665,435
 Resolution Trust Corp. 93-C1, B 
  8.75%, '24                           AA(d)           425         434,695
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-2, M1 
  7.15%, '29                           AA(d)           624         624,729

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-31 
<PAGE> 

                               BALANCED SERIES 

                                       STANDARD 
                                       & POOR'S      PAR 
                                        RATING      VALUE 
                                      (Unaudited)   (000)        VALUE 
                                     ------------  --------  --------------- 
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities--continued 
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-C1, B 
  6.90%, '27                           AA(d)       $   525    $   520,242
 Resolution Trust Corp. 95-C2, B 
  6.80%, '27                           AA(d)         1,135      1,122,992
 Structured Asset Securities Corp. 
  95-C1, C 7.375%, '24                 A               930        929,855
 Structured Asset Securities Corp. 
  96-CFL, C 6.525%, '28                A               480        469,200
 TLFC 96-1A, 5.98%, '02                AAA             289        288,738
                                                              -----------
                                                               10,928,653
                                                              -----------
Paper & Forest Products--0.3% 
 Buckeye Cellulose Corp. 8.50%, '05    BB-             700        701,750
                                                              -----------
Truckers & Marine--0.1% 
 Teekay Shipping Corp. 8.32%, '08      BB              230        230,575
                                                              -----------
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS 
 (Identified cost $14,089,854)                                 14,099,809
                                                              -----------
FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS--1.0% 
Chile--0.2% 
 Petropower Funding 144A 7.36%, 
  '14 (c)                              BBB             350        334,005
                                                              -----------
Colombia--0.2% 
 Financiera Energ. Nacional EMTN Euro 
  9%, '99                              BBB-            440        461,450
                                                              -----------
Indonesia--0.2% 
 Asia Pulp & Paper Co. Yankee 11.75%, 
  '05                                  BB              400        431,000
                                                              -----------
Philippines--0.2% 
 Central Bank of Philippines NMB Euro 
  6.563%, '05 (e)                      BB              500        491,875
                                                              -----------
Sweden--0.2% 
 Astra Overseas Financial 144A 8.75%, 
  '03 (c)                              NR              350        354,375
                                                              -----------
TOTAL FOREIGN NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS 
 (Identified cost $2,002,428)                                   2,072,705
                                                              -----------
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES--3.7% 
Argentina--0.6% 
 Republic of Argentina Bearer FRB 
  6.625%, '05 (e)                      BB-           1,078        939,881
 Republic of Argentina Par L-GP 
  5.25%, '23 (e)                       BB-             500        318,750
                                                              -----------
                                                                1,258,631
                                                              -----------
Brazil--0.4% 
 Republic of Brazil C Bond, PIK 
  interest capitalization, 8%, '14 
  (e)                                  B+              732        544,197
 Republic of Brazil DCB-L Euro 
  6.563%, '12 (e)                      B+              500        379,063
                                                              -----------
                                                                  923,260
                                                              -----------
Colombia--0.8% 
 Republic of Colombia 7.25%, '03       BBB-            500        483,880
 Republic of Colombia Euro 9%, '97     BBB-            700        705,544
 Republic of Colombia Yankee 7.25%, 
  '04                                  BBB-            475        463,125
                                                              -----------
                                                                1,652,549
                                                              -----------
Croatia--0.3% 
 Croatia Series B 6.688%, '06 (e)      NR              600        584,625
                                                              -----------
Mexico--0.7% 
 United Mexican States 144A 7.563%, 
  '01 (c)(e)                           Baa(d)      $   400    $   400,940
 United Mexican States Discount A 
  6.453%, '19 (e)(f)                   BB              325        280,313
 United Mexican States Euro D 6.352%, 
  '19 (e)(f)                           BB              250        215,625
 United Mexican States Series A Euro 
  6.25%, '19 (f)                       BB              300        220,125
 United Mexican States Series B Euro 
  6.25%, '19 (f)                       BB              350        256,813
                                                              -----------
                                                                1,373,816
                                                              -----------
Panama--0.6% 
 Republic of Panama PDI 144A, 
  PIK interest capitalization, 
  6.75%, '16 (c)(e)                    NR            1,470      1,164,949
                                                              -----------
Poland--0.3% 
 Poland Discount Euro 6.50%, '24 (e)   BBB-            600        583,500
                                                              -----------
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES 
 (Identified cost $6,892,374)                                   7,541,330
                                                              -----------
MUNICIPAL BONDS--2.2% 
California--1.0% 
 Kern County Pension Obligation 
   Taxable 7.26%, '14                   AAA             420       413,977
 Long Beach Pension Obligation 
  Taxable 6.87%, '06                   AAA             230        230,522
 Orange County Pension Series A 
  Taxable 7.62%, '08                   AAA             650        676,345
 San Bernardino County Obligation 
  Revenue Taxable 6.87%, '08           AAA             110        109,197
 San Bernardino County Obligation 
  Revenue Taxable 6.94%, '09           AAA             300        298,977
 Ventura County Pension Taxable 
  6.54%, '05                           AAA             260        256,071
                                                              -----------
                                                                1,985,089
                                                              -----------
Florida--0.8% 
 Dade County Ed. Facs. Authority 
  5.75%, '20                           AAA             145        146,781
 Miami Beach Special Obligation 
  Taxable 8.60%, '21                   AAA             875        957,661
 University Miami Exchange Revenue A 
  Taxable 7.65%, '20                   AAA             535        539,992
                                                              -----------
                                                                1,644,434
                                                              -----------
Virginia--0.4% 
 Newport News Taxable Series B 7.05%, 
  '25                                  AA-           1,000        942,860
                                                              -----------
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS 
 (Identified cost $4,609,830)                                   4,572,383
                                                              -----------
                                                   SHARES 
                                                  --------
COMMON STOCKS--55.9% 
Aerospace & Defense--1.8% 
 Boeing Co.                                         15,100      1,606,262
 United Technologies Corp.                          31,200      2,059,200
                                                              -----------
                                                                3,665,462
                                                              -----------
Autos & Trucks--0.2% 
 Chrysler Corp.                                     11,800        389,400
                                                              -----------

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-32 
<PAGE> 

                               BALANCED SERIES 

                                              SHARES       VALUE 
                                             --------  --------------- 
Banks--2.2% 
 BankAmerica Corp.                            12,400  $     1,236,900
 Chase Manhattan Corp.                        11,400        1,017,450
 Citicorp                                     10,000        1,030,000
 Mellon Bank Corp.                            11,300          802,300
 Nationsbank Corp.                             4,300          420,325
                                                        -------------
                                                            4,506,975
                                                        -------------
Beverages--1.7% 
 Coca-Cola Co.                                20,900        1,099,862
 PepsiCo, Inc.                                76,300        2,231,775
 Seagram Ltd.                                  5,100          197,625
                                                        -------------
                                                            3,529,262
                                                        -------------
Chemical--1.7% 
 Du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.              15,200        1,434,500
 Monsanto Co.                                 43,000        1,671,625
 Philip Environmental, Inc. (b)               30,000          435,000
                                                        -------------
                                                            3,541,125
                                                        -------------
Computer Software & Services--2.7% 
 Computer Associates International, Inc.      29,400        1,462,650
 First Data Corp.                             36,000        1,314,000
 Microsoft Corp. (b)                          13,500        1,115,438
 Oracle Corp. (b)                             40,000        1,670,000
                                                        -------------
                                                            5,562,088
                                                        -------------
Conglomerates--2.0% 
 AlliedSignal, Inc.                           14,900          998,300
 Thermo Electron Corp. (b)                    11,000          453,750
 Tyco International Ltd.                      50,100        2,649,038
                                                        -------------
                                                            4,101,088
                                                        -------------
Cosmetics & Soaps--2.1% 
 Colgate Palmolive Co.                         6,800          627,300
 Gillette Co.                                 18,500        1,438,375
 Procter & Gamble Co.                         19,900        2,139,250
                                                        -------------
                                                            4,204,925
                                                        -------------
Diversified Financial Services--3.3% 
 Conseco, Inc.                                24,900        1,587,375
 First USA, Inc.                              48,900        1,693,163
 MBNA Corp.                                   16,000          664,000
 T. Rowe Price Associates                     28,350        1,233,225
 Travelers Group, Inc.                        33,433        1,517,022
                                                        -------------
                                                            6,694,785
                                                        -------------
Diversified Miscellaneous--0.5% 
 Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.         11,200          928,200
                                                        -------------
Electrical Equipment--1.6% 
 Emerson Electric Co.                          2,400          232,200
 General Electric Co.                         21,100        2,086,262
 Westinghouse Electric Corp.                  45,000          894,375
                                                        -------------
                                                            3,212,837
                                                        -------------
Electronics--3.0% 
 Intel Corp.                                  23,800        3,116,313
 Micron Technology, Inc.                      14,600          425,225
 Perkin Elmer Corp.                           17,200        1,012,650
 Texas Instruments, Inc.                       9,200          586,500
 3Com Corp. (b)                               13,300          975,888
                                                        -------------
                                                            6,116,576
                                                        -------------
Entertainment, Leisure & Gaming--0.5%  
 Walt Disney Co.                              13,500          939,937
                                                        -------------
Food--1.1% 
 Campbell Soup Co.                            12,000  $       963,000
 Hudson Foods, Inc. Class A                   65,700        1,248,300
                                                        -------------
                                                            2,211,300
                                                        -------------
Healthcare--Diversified--1.6% 
 American Home Products Corp.                 21,500        1,260,438
 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                     15,300        1,663,875
 Warner-Lambert Co.                            5,400          405,000
                                                        -------------
                                                            3,329,313
                                                        -------------
Healthcare--Drugs--2.2% 
 Amgen, Inc. (b)                              13,500          734,062
 Lilly (Eli) & Co.                             5,400          394,200
 Merck & Co., Inc.                            25,600        2,028,800
 Pfizer, Inc.                                 17,000        1,408,875
                                                        -------------
                                                            4,565,937
                                                        -------------
Hospital Management & Services--1.1% 
 Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp.                55,000        2,241,250
                                                        -------------
Household Furnishings & Appliances--0.9% 
 Sunbeam Corp., Inc.                          75,300        1,938,975
                                                        -------------
Insurance--2.5% 
 Allstate Corp.                               36,400        2,106,650
 American International Group, Inc.           12,000        1,299,000
 Chubb Corp.                                   7,600          408,500
 ITT Hartford Group, Inc. (b)                  4,000          270,000
 TIG Holdings, Inc.                           31,600        1,070,450
                                                        -------------
                                                            5,154,600
                                                        -------------
Lodging & Restaurants--0.9% 
 Hilton Hotels Corp.                          74,000        1,933,250
                                                        -------------
Machinery--0.5% 
 Deere & Co.                                  23,900          970,937
                                                        -------------
Medical Products & Supplies--1.2% 
 Abbott Laboratories                           7,500          380,625
 Boston Scientific Corp. (b)                  18,000        1,080,000
 Johnson & Johnson                            20,000          995,000
                                                        -------------
                                                            2,455,625
                                                        -------------
Natural Gas--2.1% 
 Apache Corp.                                 23,100          817,162
 Columbia Gas System, Inc.                     9,600          610,800
 Consolidated Natural Gas Co.                 14,600          806,650
 Enron Corp.                                  47,800        2,061,375
                                                        -------------
                                                            4,295,987
                                                        -------------
Office & Business Equipment--2.5% 
 International Business Machines Corp.        16,500        2,491,500
 Sun Microsystems, Inc. (b)                   67,200        1,726,200
 Xerox Corp.                                  16,200          852,525
                                                        -------------
                                                            5,070,225
                                                        -------------
Oil--2.5% 
 Chevron Corp.                                25,300        1,644,500
 Exxon Corp.                                  13,000        1,274,000
 Mobil Corp.                                   1,800          220,050
 Noble Affiliates, Inc.                       39,800        1,905,425
                                                        -------------
                                                            5,043,975
                                                       --------------

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-33 
<PAGE> 

                               BALANCED SERIES 

                                              SHARES       VALUE 
                                             --------  --------------- 
Oil Service & Equipment--4.1% 
 Noble Drilling Corp. (b)                     95,700    $  1,902,037
 Schlumberger Ltd.                            10,100       1,008,738
 Seacor Holdings, Inc. (b)                    32,900       2,072,700
 Transocean Offshore, Inc.                    20,000       1,252,500
 Western Atlas, Inc. (b)                      30,500       2,161,688
                                                        ------------
                                                           8,397,663
                                                        ------------
Pollution Control--0.7% 
 Republic Industries, Inc. (b)                13,500         421,031
 U.S.A. Waste Services, Inc. (b)              32,300       1,029,562
                                                        ------------
                                                           1,450,593
                                                        ------------
Professional Services--2.0% 
 Cognizant Corp.                              36,000       1,188,000
 Corrections Corporation of America (b)       20,000         612,500
 HFS, Inc. (b)                                22,400       1,338,400
 Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.                   9,000         936,000
                                                        ------------
                                                           4,074,900
                                                        ------------
Publishing, Broadcasting, Printing & Cable--0.2% 
 New York Times Co.                           13,000         494,000
                                                        ------------
Real Estate Investment Trusts--0.2% 
 Redwood Trust, Inc.                          11,200         417,200
                                                        ------------
Retail--2.1% 
 Office Depot, Inc. (b)                       20,000         355,000
 Sears Roebuck & Co.                          30,000       1,383,750
 Staples, Inc. (b)                            54,000         975,375
 TJX Companies, Inc.                          31,600       1,497,050
                                                        ------------
                                                           4,211,175
                                                        ------------
Retail--Food--1.0% 
 Safeway, Inc. (b)                            50,000       2,137,500
                                                        ------------
Telecommunications Equipment--2.0% 
 Cisco Systems, Inc. (b)                      60,000       3,817,500
 Lucent Technologies, Inc.                     4,200         194,250
                                                        ------------
                                                           4,011,750
                                                        ------------
Textile & Apparel--0.8% 
 Nike, Inc. Class B                           26,000       1,553,500
                                                        ------------
Utility--Telephone--0.4% 
 Ameritech Corp.                               7,300         442,562
 Bell Atlantic Corp.                           6,700         433,825
                                                        ------------
                                                             876,387
                                                        ------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $103,215,557)                         $114,228,702
                                                        ------------
FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS--1.0% 
Oil--1.0% 
 British Petroleum PLC ADR (United Kingdom)    6,100         862,387
 Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. ADR NY Registered 
  Shares (Netherlands)                         6,200       1,058,650
                                                        ------------
                                                           1,921,037
                                                        ------------
TOTAL FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $1,803,661)                              1,921,037
                                                        ------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--95.0% 
 (Identified cost $182,701,832)                          194,086,483
                                                        ------------


                                         STANDARD 
                                         & POOR'S     PAR 
                                          RATING     VALUE 
                                       (Unaudited)   (000)        VALUE 
                                       ------------  ------- --------------- 
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--4.4% 
Commercial Paper--3.3% 
 Cargill, Inc. 6.95%, 1-2-97               A-1+      $  165   $    164,968
 Abbott Laboratories 5.42%, 1-7-97         A-1+       1,530      1,528,618
 Bellsouth Capital Funding Corp. 
  5.40%, 1-14-97                           A-1+       2,500      2,495,125
 Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. 
  5.34%, 2-18-97                           A-1+       2,525      2,505,752
                                                              ------------
                                                                 6,694,463
                                                              ------------
Federal Agency Securities--1.1% 
 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 5.29%,  1-14-97     2,195      2,190,807
                                                              ------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS 
 (Identified cost $8,886,540)                                    8,885,270
                                                              ------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--99.4% 
 (Identified cost $191,588,372)                                202,971,753(a) 
 Cash and receivables, less liabilities--0.6%                    1,313,479
                                                              ------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%                                            $204,285,232
                                                              ============

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment 
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $13,992,659 and gross 
    depreciation of $2,784,718 for income tax purposes. At December 31, 1996, 
    the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was 
    $191,763,812. 
(b) Non-income producing. 
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act 
    of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from 
    registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 
    1996, these securities amounted to a value of $2,667,769 or 1.3% of net 
    assets. 
(d) As rated by Moody's, Fitch or Duff & Phelps. 
(e) Variable or step coupon bond; interest rate shown reflects the rate 
    currently in effect. 
(f) Rights incorporated as a unit. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-34 
<PAGE> 

                               BALANCED SERIES 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Assets 
 Investment securities at value (Identified cost $191,588,372)                           $202,971,753
 Cash                                                                                          97,977
 Interest and dividends receivable                                                          1,404,630
 Receivable for investment securities sold                                                      1,107
                                                                                         ------------
  Total assets                                                                            204,475,467
                                                                                         ------------
Liabilities 
 Payable for fund shares repurchased                                                           12,117
 Payable for investment securities purchased                                                   10,890
 Investment advisory fee                                                                       95,346
 Financial agent fee                                                                           10,401
 Trustees' fee                                                                                  7,941
 Accrued expenses                                                                              53,540
                                                                                         ------------
  Total liabilities                                                                           190,235
                                                                                         ------------
Net Assets                                                                               $204,285,232
                                                                                         ============
Net Assets Consist of: 
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest                                        $186,762,034
 Undistributed net investment income                                                          351,214
 Accumulated net realized gain                                                              5,788,603
 Net unrealized appreciation                                                               11,383,381
                                                                                         ------------
Net Assets                                                                               $204,285,232
                                                                                         ============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization           16,941,850
                                                                                         ============
Net asset value and offering price per share                                                   $12.06
                                                                                               ======
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
For the year ended December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
Investment Income 
 Interest                                                                                 $ 5,995,642
 Dividends                                                                                  1,161,737
                                                                                         ------------
  Total investment income                                                                   7,157,379
                                                                                         ------------
Expenses 
 Investment advisory fee                                                                    1,089,976
 Financial agent fee                                                                          118,907
 Custodian                                                                                     34,584
 Printing                                                                                      55,128
 Professional                                                                                  25,334
 Trustees                                                                                      17,873
 Miscellaneous                                                                                  8,802
                                                                                         ------------
  Total expenses                                                                            1,350,604
                                                                                         ------------
Net investment income                                                                       5,806,775
                                                                                         ------------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 
 Net realized gain on securities                                                           16,867,817 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                       (2,671,304) 
                                                                                         ------------
Net gain on investments                                                                    14,196,513
                                                                                         ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                      $20,003,288
                                                                                         ============
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-35 
<PAGE> 

                               BALANCED SERIES 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year            Year 
                                                                                Ended           Ended 
                                                                              12/31/96        12/31/95 
                                                                          ---------------   --------------- 
<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>
From Operations 
 Net investment income                                                      $  5,806,775    $  5,964,289 
 Net realized gain                                                            16,867,817      17,178,873 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                         (2,671,304)     13,277,376 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                         20,003,288      36,420,538 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
From Distributions to Shareholders 
 Net investment income                                                        (5,536,811)     (6,004,047) 
 Net realized gains                                                          (18,064,626)     (3,833,294) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders                   (23,601,437)     (9,837,341) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
From Share Transactions 
 Proceeds from sales of shares (2,805,856 and 2,915,001 shares, 
  respectively)                                                               34,642,833      33,778,188 
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions 
  (1,949,091 and 828,862 shares, respectively)                                23,601,437       9,837,341 
 Cost of shares repurchased (3,529,372 and 3,333,135 shares, 
  respectively)                                                              (43,662,808)    (38,002,038) 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Increase in net assets from share transactions                               14,581,462       5,613,491 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 Net increase in net assets                                                   10,983,313      32,196,688 
Net Assets 
 Beginning of period                                                         193,301,919     161,105,231 
                                                                            ------------    ------------ 
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $351,214 
   and $74,806, respectively)                                               $204,285,232    $193,301,919 
                                                                            ============    ============ 
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               From Inception 
                                                                                                   5/1/92 
                                                     Year Ended December 31,                         to 
                                         1996          1995           1994           1993         12/31/92 
                                     -----------  -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 
<S>                                    <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>     
Net asset value, beginning of 
  period                                 $12.30        $10.53         $11.31         $10.77         $10.00 
Income from investment operations 
 Net investment income                     0.36          0.40(3)        0.38(2)(3)     0.32(2)(3)     0.19(3) 
 Net realized and unrealized gain 
  (loss)                                   0.89          2.02          (0.70)          0.60           0.77 
                                       --------      --------       --------       --------        ------- 
  Total from investment operations         1.25          2.42          (0.32)          0.92           0.96 
                                       --------      --------       --------       --------        ------- 
Less distributions 
 Dividends from net investment 
  income                                  (0.35)        (0.40)         (0.36)         (0.32)         (0.19) 
 Dividends from net realized gains        (1.14)        (0.25)         (0.10)         (0.06)            -- 
                                       --------      --------       --------       --------        ------- 
  Total distributions                     (1.49)        (0.65)         (0.46)         (0.38)         (0.19) 
                                       --------      --------       --------       --------        ------- 
Change in net asset value                 (0.24)         1.77          (0.78)          0.54           0.77 
                                       --------      --------       --------       --------        ------- 
Net asset value, end of period           $12.06        $12.30         $10.53         $11.31         $10.77 
                                       ========      ========       ========       ========        ======= 
Total return                              10.56%        23.28%         -2.80%          8.57%          9.72%(5) 
Ratios/supplemental data: 
Net assets, end of period 
  (thousands)                          $204,285      $193,302       $161,105       $158,144        $54,467 
Ratio to average net assets of: 
 Operating expenses                        0.68%         0.65%(4)       0.69%          0.70%          0.50%(1) 
 Net investment income                     2.93%         3.44%          3.44%          3.16%          3.59%(1) 
Portfolio turnover rate                     229%          223%           171%           161%           110%(1) 
Average commission rate paid(6)         $0.0641           N/A            N/A            N/A            N/A 
</TABLE>

(1) Annualized 
(2) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of 
    $0.001 and $0.001 per share, respectively. 
(3) Computed using average shares outstanding. 
(4) The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excludes the 
    effect of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were 
    included, the ratio would not significantly differ. 
(5) Not annualized 
(6) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is 
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for 
    securities trades on which commissions are charged. This rate 
    generally does not reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares 
    traded on a principal basis. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 


                                     2-36 
<PAGE> 

                              REAL ESTATE SERIES 

  The real estate markets continued to stabilize over the last twelve months. 
Leasing activity, rents, and market values all moved ahead as the economy 
continued to improve and construction activity on a national basis supplied 
less space than required by increased demand. Transaction prices in the 
private real estate markets shot up, with capitalization rates falling by at 
least one-half of a percentage point. In some regions, market prices on 
existing properties are beginning to approach replacement cost, leading to 
investor concerns of overbuilding in some sectors. 

  Performance by property type has varied considerably over this reporting 
period. The apartment sector, which enjoyed the recovery in advance of most 
other property types, has experienced more modest rental rate growth as 
market vacancy rates have reached equilibrium. In the office sector, we 
continued to see declines in vacancy rates--at least a 2% drop in 1996--and 
strong gains in rental rates. Concerns about oversupply in the retail sector 
have reduced investor demand for that product. However, construction in this 
sector has finally slowed and there has been increased interest in certain 
categories, namely regional malls and anchored community centers. 
Full-service hotels have seen limited new construction, continued strong 
demand, and very high occupancy levels. By comparison, economy hotels are 
experiencing significant overbuilding and accompanying deterioration in 
occupancy levels and room rates. 

  REITs posted very strong results over the past year. The best performing 
property sectors during this period were office and hotel REITs. However, all 
sectors other than the outlet center REITs generated very attractive returns. 
Stock prices were propelled upward by strong growth in funds from operations 
resulting from positive trends in occupancy levels and rental rates and by 
expanding market capitalizations generated from both significant capital 
inflow and aggressive acquisition programs. 

  The real estate securities market has continued to expand at a dramatic 
pace, notwithstanding the modest volume of IPOs during the year. Growth has 
been driven both by strong performance of the held assets and by an active 
secondary market. During the year, there were 83 equity offerings raising a 
total of $8.4 billion. In addition, unsecured debt offerings raised another 
$4.2 billion. 

  Phoenix Edge Real Estate Series posted a strong 33.09% return for the twelve 
months ended December 31, 1996. During the same period, the NAREIT Equity 
Index posted a total return of 35.25%. All of these figures assume 
reinvestment of any distributions, but exclude the effect of sales charges. 

  The Fund's investment strategy is to focus on market sectors which have 
strong underlying fundamentals and prospects for growth in excess of market 
averages over the intermediate and long-term. We also look for sectors that 
are significantly undervalued on a risk-adjusted basis. Three of the targeted 
sectors are apartment, hotel, and office/industrial REITs. 

  The Fund has been consistently overweighted in the apartment sector, which 
we believe will offer stable earnings growth and reduced risk. The apartment 
REITs as a group have had strong earnings growth over the last two years, yet 
their stock prices have failed to keep pace with the broader REIT averages 
due to investor fears of overbuilding. 

  We have also been significantly overweighted in the hotel sector, which has 
posted very strong returns over the reporting period. Our outlook for hotels 
remains positive, given the limited amount of new construction in the full 
service sector which comprises the bulk of the product held by the REITs 
represented in the Fund. 

  Finally, the Fund has had an increasing allocation to the office/industrial 
sector, which participated in the overall real estate recovery later than 
other property types and has strong upside potential. Office/industrial REITs 
were among the top performers in 1996. 

  The Fund has maintained a neutral posture with respect to regional mall 
REITs, which significantly outperformed last year. At the same time, we 
remained underweighted in strip retail REITs because of concerns with respect 
to underlying market fundamentals. Strip retail REITs generated market-based 
returns during the last twelve months. 

  Looking ahead, we anticipate continued strong performance in the REIT market 
for a number of reasons. First, the underlying markets are continuing to 
strengthen and, with construction levels lower than projected demand in 
nearly all property types, the outlook remains very positive. Second, there 
is increasing interest by both individual and institutional investors in REIT 
stocks. We attribute this to increased liquidity, attractive current yields 
and the enhanced diversification benefits provided by these secu- 

                                     2-37 
<PAGE> 

                              REAL ESTATE SERIES 

rities. Lastly, the increases in REIT prices experienced during 1996 have 
been more or less in line with the increases in funds from operation, and 
accordingly, multiples have not been driven up in line with the broader 
markets. 

  Over the long-term, we expect to see continued growth in total market 
capitalization, although limited if any growth in the numbers of companies as 
focus on efficiencies of scale leads to more mergers and larger companies. 
Nineteen companies today have market capitalizations in excess of $1 billion. 
We expect that number will grow to as many as forty companies by the year 
2000. The Fund will attempt to take advantage of this trend by focusing on 
market dominant companies that have the potential to significantly increase 
in size because they are positioned to acquire smaller private and public 
companies. We will also continue to look for smaller undervalued companies 
that are attractive takeover candidates for some of the larger REITs. 


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DESCRIPTION OF LINE CHART

                 Real Estate
                 Series           NAREIT*
5/1/95           $10,000          $10,000
12/31/95          11,779           11,548
12/31/96          15,677           15,618
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ending 12/31/96 

                                                   From 
                                                Inception 
                                                5/1/95 to 
                                       1 Year    12/31/96 
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Series                     33.09%     30.87% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------
NAREIT Equity Index*                   35.25%     30.58% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------

 This chart assumes an initial gross investment of $10,000 made on 5/1/95 
(inception of the Fund). Returns shown include the reinvestment of all 
distributions at net asset value, and the change in share price for the 
stated period. Returns indicate past performance, which is not predictive of 
future performance. Investment return and net asset value will fluctuate, so 
that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original 
cost. 
*The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) Equity 
 Index is a commonly used, unmanaged indicator of REIT performance. 

                           SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS 
                              December 31, 1996 

                                             SHARES           VALUE 
                                         --------------- ---------------- 
COMMON STOCKS--95.0% 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS--91.1% 
COMMERCIAL--23.6% 
Office/Industrial--17.0% 
 Arden Realty Group, Inc.                     3,800         $  105,450
 Beacon Properties Corp.                      8,900            325,962
 Cali Realty Corp.                            4,900            151,287
 CarrAmerica Realty Corp.                     7,800            228,150
 Duke Realty Investments, Inc.               18,400            708,400
 Highwoods Properties, Inc.                  28,600            965,250
 Spieker Properties, Inc.                    22,900            824,400
 Weeks Corp.                                 16,300            541,975
                                                           -----------
                                                             3,850,874
                                                           -----------
Storage--6.6% 
 Public Storage, Inc.                        22,300            691,300
 Shurgard Storage Centers, Inc.               9,300            275,512
 Storage USA, Inc.                           14,300            538,038
                                                           -----------
                                                             1,504,850
                                                           -----------
Total Commercial                                             5,355,724
                                                           -----------
HEALTH CARE--5.6% 
 Health Care Properties Inv., Inc.           15,500            542,500
 Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.          30,400            737,200
                                                           -----------
                                                             1,279,700
                                                           -----------
RESIDENTIAL--29.8% 
Apartments--26.0% 
 Avalon Properties, Inc.                     15,100            434,125
 Bay Apartments Communities, Inc.            18,300            658,800
 Camden Property Trust                       11,700            334,913
 Columbus Realty Trust                        7,600            172,900
 Equity Residential Properties Trust         16,100            664,125
 Evans Withycombe Residential, Inc.          25,400            533,400
 Irvine Apartment Communities, Inc.          21,600            540,000
 Merry Land & Investment Co.                 34,500            741,750
 Oasis Residential, Inc.                     19,000            432,250
 Post Properties, Inc.                       17,800            716,450
 United Dominion Realty Trust                43,100            668,050
                                                           -----------
                                                             5,896,763
                                                           -----------
Manufactured Homes--3.8% 
 Manufactured Home Communities               15,800            367,350
 Sun Communities, Inc.                       14,400            496,800
                                                           -----------
                                                               864,150
                                                           -----------
Total Residential                                            6,760,913
                                                           -----------
RETAIL--32.1% 
Community/Neighborhood--9.1% 
 Developers Diversified Realty Corp.         14,600            542,025
 Federal Realty Investment Trust             14,300            387,887
 Kimco Realty Corp.                          12,500            435,938
 Regency Realty Corp.                         5,900            154,875
 Vornado Realty Trust                        10,400            546,000
                                                           -----------
                                                             2,066,725
                                                           -----------
Factory Outlet--2.0% 
 Chelsea G.C.A. Realty, Inc.                 13,200            457,050
                                                           -----------
Hotels--13.4% 
 Capstar Hotel Company (b)                   25,800            506,325
 FelCor Suite Hotels, Inc.                   23,500            831,312
 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc.          22,300            961,688
 Starwood Lodging Trust                      13,400            738,675
                                                           -----------
                                                             3,038,000
                                                           -----------

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-38 
<PAGE> 

REAL ESTATE SERIES 

                                   SHARES       VALUE 
                                   -------- ------------- 
Regional Mall--7.6% 
 Rouse Co.                          8,000    $   254,000
 Simon DeBartolo Group, Inc.       23,096        715,976
 Taubman Centers, Inc.             51,400        661,775
 The Macerich Co.                   3,900        101,888
                                              ----------
                                               1,733,639
                                              ----------
Total Retail                                   7,295,414
                                              ----------
TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS 
 (Identified cost $16,370,698)                20,691,751
                                              ----------
REAL ESTATE OPERATING COMPANIES--3.9% 
Hotels--3.9% 
 Host Marriott Corp. (b)           44,800        716,800
 Interstate Hotels Company (b)      4,000        113,000
 Red Roof Inns, Inc. (b)            3,400         52,700
                                              ----------
                                                 882,500
                                              ----------
TOTAL REAL ESTATE OPERATING COMPANIES 
 (Identified cost $788,346)                      882,500
                                              ----------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $17,159,044)                21,574,251
                                              ----------


                                        STANDARD 
                                        & POOR'S      PAR 
                                         RATING      VALUE 
                                      (Unaudited)    (000)         VALUE 
                                      ------------  --------- ---------------- 
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--5.9% 
Commercial Paper--3.3% 
 Ameritech Capital Funding 6.25%, 
  1-2-97                                  A-1+        $470      $   469,918
 Campbell Soup Co. 6.75%, 1-2-97          A-1+         280          279,948
                                                               ------------
                                                                    749,866
                                                               ------------
Federal Agency Securities--2.6% 
 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 5.42%,  1-22-97      585          583,150
                                                               ------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS 
 (Identified cost $1,333,016)                                     1,333,016
                                                               ------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--100.9% 
 (Identified cost $18,492,060)                                   22,907,267(a) 
 Cash and receivables, less liabilities--(0.9)%                    (197,507) 
                                                               ------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%                                              $22,709,760
                                                               ============

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment 
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $4,419,211 and gross 
    depreciation of $4,004 for income tax purposes. At December 31, 1996, the 
    aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was 
    $18,492,060. 
(b) Non-income producing. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-39 
<PAGE> 

                              REAL ESTATE SERIES 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Assets 
 Investment securities at value (Identified cost $18,492,060)                            $22,907,267
 Cash                                                                                          1,172
 Receivable for investment securities sold                                                   148,032
 Interest and dividends receivable                                                           108,273
 Receivable for fund shares sold                                                              65,426
                                                                                          ----------
  Total assets                                                                            23,230,170
                                                                                          ----------
Liabilities 
 Payable for investment securities purchased                                                 463,909
 Investment advisory fee                                                                      21,208
 Trustees' fee                                                                                 7,559
 Financial agent fee                                                                           1,013
 Accrued expenses                                                                             26,721
                                                                                          ----------
  Total liabilities                                                                          520,410
                                                                                          ----------
Net Assets                                                                               $22,709,760
                                                                                          ==========
Net Assets Consist of: 
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest                                        $18,162,625
 Undistributed net investment income                                                           8,742
 Accumulated net realized gain                                                               123,186
 Net unrealized appreciation                                                               4,415,207
                                                                                          ----------
Net Assets                                                                               $22,709,760
                                                                                          ==========
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization           1,585,644
                                                                                          ==========
Net asset value and offering price per share                                                  $14.32
                                                                                              ======
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
For the year ended December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
Investment Income 
 Dividends                                                                                  $645,491
 Interest                                                                                     16,241
                                                                                          ----------
  Total investment income                                                                    661,732
                                                                                          ----------
Expenses 
 Investment advisory fee                                                                      92,546
 Financial agent fee                                                                           7,404
 Printing                                                                                     21,801
 Trustees                                                                                     18,641
 Professional                                                                                 18,309
 Custodian                                                                                    10,810
 Miscellaneous                                                                                 6,369
 Expenses borne by investment adviser                                                        (52,485) 
                                                                                          ----------
  Total expenses                                                                             123,395
                                                                                          ----------
Net investment income                                                                        538,337
                                                                                          ----------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 
 Net realized gain on securities                                                             357,371
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                       3,569,257
                                                                                          ----------
Net gain on investments                                                                    3,926,628
                                                                                          ----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                      $4,464,965
                                                                                          ==========
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-40 
<PAGE> 

                              REAL ESTATE SERIES 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year       From Inception 
                                                                               Ended         5/1/95 to 
                                                                              12/31/96        12/31/95 
                                                                          --------------   ---------------- 
<S>                                                                         <C>              <C>
From Operations 
 Net investment income                                                      $   538,337      $  215,523 
 Net realized gain                                                              357,371          44,211 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                         3,569,257         845,950 
                                                                            -----------      ---------- 
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                         4,464,965       1,105,684 
                                                                            -----------      ---------- 
From Distributions to Shareholders 
 Net investment income                                                         (529,595)       (215,523) 
 Net realized gains                                                            (234,185)        (44,211) 
 Tax return of capital                                                               --         (19,252) 
 Distribution in excess of net realized gains                                        --             (80) 
                                                                            -----------      ---------- 
  Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders                    (763,780)       (279,066) 
                                                                            -----------      ---------- 
From Share Transactions 
 Proceeds from sales of shares (1,121,196 and 784,136 shares, 
  respectively)                                                              14,117,141       8,019,985 
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions 
   (59,531 and 25,636 shares, respectively)                                     763,780         279,066 
 Cost of shares repurchased (342,758 and 62,097 shares, respectively)        (4,344,888)       (653,127) 
                                                                            -----------      ---------- 
 Increase in net assets from share transactions                              10,536,033       7,645,924 
                                                                            -----------      ---------- 
 Net increase in net assets                                                  14,237,218       8,472,542 
Net Assets 
 Beginning of period                                                          8,472,542               0 
                                                                            -----------      ---------- 
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $8,742 
  and $0, respectively)                                                     $22,709,760      $8,472,542 
                                                                            ===========      ========== 
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year      From Inception 
                                                                               Ended        5/1/95 to 
                                                                              12/31/96       12/31/95 
                                                                          -------------- -------------- 
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period                                           $11.33         $10.00 
Income from investment operations 
 Net investment income                                                           0.50(3)        0.33(3) 
 Net realized and unrealized gain                                                3.14           1.42 
                                                                              -------         ------ 
  Total from investment operations                                               3.64           1.75 
                                                                              -------         ------ 
Less distributions 
 Dividends from net investment income                                           (0.50)         (0.33) 
 Dividends from net realized gains                                              (0.15)         (0.06) 
 Tax return of capital                                                             --          (0.03) 
                                                                              -------         ------ 
  Total distributions                                                           (0.65)         (0.42) 
                                                                              -------         ------ 
Change in net asset value                                                        2.99           1.33 
                                                                              -------         ------ 
Net asset value, end of period                                                 $14.32         $11.33 
                                                                              =======         ====== 

Total return                                                                    33.09%         17.79%(2) 
Ratios/supplemental data: 
Net assets, end of period (thousands)                                         $22,710         $8,473 
Ratio to average net assets of: 
 Operating expenses                                                              1.00%          1.00%(1) 
 Net investment income                                                           4.36%          4.80%(1) 
Portfolio turnover rate                                                            21%            10%(2) 
Average commission rate paid(4)                                               $0.0468            N/A 
</TABLE>

(1) Annualized 
(2) Not annualized 
(3) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of 
    $0.05 and $0.07 per share, respectively. 
(4) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is 
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities 
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not 
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal 
    basis. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-41 
<PAGE> 

                            STRATEGIC THEME SERIES 

  Aided by record mutual fund inflows and corporate share buybacks, the U.S. 
equity market continued to climb dramatically higher in 1996, breaking one 
record after another in its wake. The widely followed Dow Jones Industrial 
Average finished the year at a remarkable 6448 --some 1331 points above where 
it stood twelve months ago. Given last year's investment climate of slower 
earnings growth and higher interest rates, combined with the stellar equity 
returns posted during 1995, many on Wall Street were surprised by the stock 
market's continued strength. 

  Market volatility increased and sector rotation intensified during 1996, as 
investor opinion shifted dramatically over the direction of the economy and 
interest rates. We believe that this type of market environment should be 
expected in the later stages of a long bull market as it illustrates some of 
the uncertainty felt by investors. In the end, large-cap stocks significantly 
outdistanced their small-cap counterparts, while technology and finance 
companies provided some of last year's biggest gains. 

  Since the Fund's inception on January 29, 1996 through December 31,1996, the 
Phoenix Edge Strategic Theme Series has posted a total return of 10.33%. 
During this same period, the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index, a commonly 
used measure of U.S. stock market performance, returned 21.44%. All of these 
figures assume reinvestment of any distributions, but exclude the effect of 
sales charges. 

  After posting strong gains in the first half of 1996, Fund performance over 
the last six months has lagged the market primarily because of weakness in 
some of our technology, capital goods and health care holdings. Our 
underweighting in large-cap stocks also held back results as these non-theme 
related blue-chip companies led the market during the second half of the 
year. Positive contributors to performance during this period included our 
strong stock selection in energy as well as our tactical strategy of raising 
the Portfolio's cash holdings during the market selloff in July. 

  Despite the extended rally in the U.S. equity market, thematically, we 
continue to identify a number of areas that should provide above-average 
long-term growth as we head into 1997. Our Software Solutions theme focuses 
on companies that increase organizational efficiency by providing products 
and services to manage the proliferation of new technology and solve 
increasingly complex user problems. Deregulating Financial Services is 
another high conviction theme that we developed in response to the 
demographic shift to savings and investments and the continued trend of 
government deregulation. Lastly, we continue to emphasize our Energy 
Technology theme which represents energy service companies that provide 
productivity enhancing solutions to exploration and production companies. 

  Moving forward, we believe our key investment themes will serve us well in 
this challenging market environment, given their ability to capture change 
and identify strong earnings growth in a timely manner. As of December 31, 
1996, the Fund's asset allocation mix was 98% equities and 2% cash 
equivalents. 


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DESCRIPTION OF PIE CHART

Short-term Obligations and Cash 2.1%
Environmental Crisis Recycled 2.0%
Move to Outsourcing 2.2%
Clean Energy Demand 5.0%
Return to Real Assets 7.7%
Next Generation Semiconductors 7.8%
Special Situations 9.9%
Hybrid Network 10.5%
Software Solutions 11.6%
Deregulating Financial Services 12.2%
21st Century Medicine 13.1%
Energy Technology 15.9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                     2-42 
<PAGE> 

                            STRATEGIC THEME SERIES 

Strategic Theme Series Line

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[DESCRIPTION OF LINE CHART

                           S&P 500                   Strategic
                           Stock Index*              Theme Series
1/29/96                    $10,000                   $10,000
12/31/96                    12,144                    11,033
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Total Returns for Period Ending 12/31/96 

                                                 From 
                                              Inception 
                                              1/29/96 to 
                                               12/31/96 
- --------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Theme Series                          10.33% 
- --------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Stock Index*                            21.44% 
- --------------------------------------------------------

This chart assumes an initial gross investment of $10,000 made on 1/29/96 
(inception of the Fund). Returns shown include the reinvestment of all 
distributions at net asset value, and the change in share price for the 
stated period. Returns indicate past performance, which is not predictive of 
future performance. Investment return and net asset value will fluctuate so 
that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original 
cost. 
*The S&P 500 Stock Index is an unmanaged but commonly used measure of stock 
total return performance. 

                           SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS 
                              December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          SHARES        VALUE 
                                                         --------  ---------------- 
<S>                                                       <C>     <C>
COMMON STOCKS--97.9% 
Banks--Money Center--2.2% 
 Bankers Trust New York Corp.                              3,000  $        258,750
 Citicorp                                                  3,000           309,000
                                                                    --------------
                                                                           567,750
                                                                    --------------
Commercial--Leasing Companies--1.6% 
 Prime Services, Inc. (b)                                 15,000           412,500
                                                                    --------------
Commercial Services--Miscellaneous--1.4% 
 Equifax, Inc.                                            12,000           367,500
                                                                    --------------
Computer--Local Networks--4.0% 
 3Com Corp. (b)                                            9,000           660,375
 Cisco Systems, Inc. (b)                                   6,000           381,750
                                                                    --------------
                                                                         1,042,125
                                                                    --------------
Computer--Mainframes--1.2% 
 International Business Machines Corp.                     2,000           302,000
                                                                    --------------
Computer--Memory Devices--3.2% 
 EMC Corp. (b)                                            13,000           430,625
 Seagate Technology, Inc. (b)                             10,000           395,000
                                                                    --------------
                                                                           825,625
                                                                    --------------
Computer--Mini/Micro--2.1% 
 Compaq Computer Corp. (b)                                 7,500           556,875
                                                                    --------------
Computer--Services--2.2% 
 Microsoft Corp. (b)                                       7,000           578,375
                                                                    --------------
Computer--Software--10.5% 
 Baan Company N.V. (b)                                     7,000           243,250
 Compuware Corp. (b)                                       7,000           350,875
 MDSI Mobile Data Solutions, Inc. (b)                     20,000           317,500
 National Instruments Corporation (b)                     12,000           384,000
 Natural Microsystems Corp. (b)                           12,000           378,000
 Netscape Communications Corp. (b)                         5,000           284,375
 Peoplesoft, Inc. (b)                                      9,000           431,438
 Rogue Wave Software, Inc. (b)                            21,500           338,625
                                                                    --------------
                                                                         2,728,063
                                                                    --------------
Electric--Miscellaneous Components--2.3% 
 Sawtek, Inc. (b)                                         15,000           594,375
                                                                    --------------
Electric--Semiconductor Manufacturers--4.8% 
 ESS Technology, Inc. (b)                                 12,000  $        337,500
 Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (b)                       6,000           259,500
 Oak Technology, Inc. (b)                                 34,000           382,500
 Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. (b)                           6,000           273,000
                                                                    --------------
                                                                         1,252,500
                                                                    --------------
Electric Products--Miscellaneous--0.9% 
 Firearms Training Systems, Inc. (b)                      20,000           235,000
                                                                    --------------
Electrical--Connectors--3.0% 
 Intel Corp.                                               6,000           785,625
                                                                    --------------
Finance--Equity Real Estate Investment Trust--6.7% 
 Avalon Properties, Inc.                                  10,000           287,500
 Chelsea G.C.A. Realty, Inc.                               8,000           277,000
 Equity Residential Properties Trust                       9,000           371,250
 Essex Property Trust, Inc.                               10,000           293,750
 Security Capital Pacific Trust                           10,000           228,750
 Starwood Lodging Trust                                    5,000           275,625
                                                                    --------------
                                                                         1,733,875
                                                                    --------------
Finance--Investment Bankers--6.6% 
 Alex Brown, Inc.                                          4,000           290,000
 Charles Schwab Corp.                                     18,000           576,000
 Edwards (A.G.), Inc.                                      8,000           269,000
 Merrill Lynch & Company, Inc.                             7,000           570,500
                                                                    --------------
                                                                         1,705,500
                                                                    --------------
Financial--Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust--1.0% 
 Redwood Trust, Inc.                                       7,000           260,750
                                                                    --------------
Financial Services--Miscellaneous--1.0% 
 Hambrecht & Quist Group, Inc. (b)                        12,000           259,500
                                                                    --------------
Insurance--Life--2.5% 
 Conseco, Inc.                                            10,000           637,500
                                                                    --------------
Leisure--Toys/Games & Hobby--1.4% 
 Action Performance Cos., Inc. (b)                        20,000           360,000
                                                                    --------------
Medical--Biomed/Genetics--4.1% 
 Alpha-Beta Technology, Inc. (b)                          25,000           264,063
 Amgen, Inc. (b)                                           5,000           271,875
 Biogen, Inc. (b)                                         10,000           387,500
 Liposome Company, Inc. (b)                                7,000           133,875
                                                                    --------------
                                                                         1,057,313
                                                                   ---------------
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-43 
<PAGE> 

                            STRATEGIC THEME SERIES 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          SHARES        VALUE 
                                                         --------  ---------------- 
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>
Medical--Drug/Diversified--1.0% 
 Abbott Laboratories                                       5,000     $   253,750
                                                                    ------------
Medical--Ethical Drugs--3.1% 
 Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (b)                           10,000         477,500
 Merck & Co., Inc.                                         4,000         317,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                         794,500
                                                                    ------------
Medical--Instruments--4.8% 
 Biopsys Medical, Inc. (b)                                11,000         239,250
 Heartstream, Inc. (b)                                    16,000         200,000
 Medtronic, Inc.                                          12,000         816,000
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,255,250
                                                                    ------------
Medical--Products--1.8% 
 Boston Scientific Corp. (b)                               8,000         480,000
                                                                    ------------
Oil & Gas--Canadian Exploration & Production--1.5% 
 Flores & Rucks, Inc. (b)                                  7,500         399,375
                                                                    ------------
Oil & Gas--Drilling--1.1% 
 Nabors Industries, Inc. (b)                              15,000         288,750
                                                                    ------------
Oil & Gas--Field Services--2.9% 
 Schlumberger Ltd.                                         7,500         749,062
                                                                    ------------
Oil & Gas--Machinery/Equipment--5.7% 
 Camco International, Inc.                                 4,500         207,562
 Energy Ventures, Inc. (b)                                 5,500         279,812
 Smith International, Inc. (b)                            12,000         538,500
 Varco International, Inc. (b)                            20,000         462,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,488,374
                                                                    ------------
Oil & Gas--Product/Pipeline--1.4% 
 Sonat, Inc.                                               7,000     $   360,500
                                                                    ------------
Oil & Gas--U.S. Exploration & Production--8.2% 
 3DX Technologies, Inc. (b)                               30,000         330,000
 Parker & Parsley Petroleum Co.                            8,000         294,000
 Pogo Producing Co.                                        9,000         425,250
 The Houston Exploration Co. (b)                           5,400          94,500
 Titan Exploration, Inc. (b)                               5,000          60,000
 Tom Brown, Inc. (b)                                      20,000         417,500
 United Meridian Corp. (b)                                10,000         517,500
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       2,138,750
                                                                    ------------
Pollution Control--Equipment--0.9% 
 Cuno, Inc. (b)                                           15,000         223,125
                                                                    ------------
Pollution Control--Services--1.1% 
 Newpark Resources, Inc. (b)                               8,000         298,000
                                                                    ------------
Real Estate Operations--1.0% 
 Fairfield Communities, Inc. (b)                          10,000         247,500
                                                                    ------------
Retail--Wholesale Computers--0.7% 
 Tech Data Corp. (b)                                       7,000         191,625
                                                                    ------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $23,910,176)                                        25,431,312
                                                                    ------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--97.9% 
 (Identified cost $23,910,176)                                        25,431,312(a) 
 Cash and receivables, less liabilities--2.1%                            540,697
                                                                    ------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%                                                   $25,972,009
                                                                    ============
</TABLE>

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized appreciation of investment 
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $1,902,955 and gross 
    depreciation of $400,085 for income tax purposes. At December 31, 1996, 
    the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was 
    $23,928,442. 
(b) Non-income producing. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-44 
<PAGE> 

                             STRATEGIC THEME SERIES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Assets 
 Investment securities at value (Identified cost $23,910,176)                            $25,431,312
 Cash                                                                                        787,660
 Receivable for fund shares sold                                                              37,641
 Interest and dividends receivable                                                            24,815
                                                                                          ----------
  Total assets                                                                            26,281,428
                                                                                          ----------
Liabilities 
 Payable for investment securities purchased                                                 263,750
 Investment advisory fee                                                                      16,609
 Trustees' fee                                                                                 3,096
 Financial agent fee                                                                           1,377
 Accrued expenses                                                                             24,587
                                                                                          ----------
  Total liabilities                                                                          309,419
                                                                                          ----------
Net Assets                                                                               $25,972,009
                                                                                          ==========
Net Assets Consist of: 
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest                                        $24,889,007
 Accumulated net realized loss                                                              (438,134) 
 Net unrealized appreciation                                                               1,521,136
                                                                                          ----------
Net Assets                                                                               $25,972,009
                                                                                          ==========
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization           2,365,493
                                                                                          ==========
Net asset value and offering price per share                                                  $10.98
                                                                                              ======
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
From inception January 29, 1996 to December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
Investment Income 
 Interest                                                                                 $  153,055
 Dividends                                                                                    87,336
                                                                                          ----------
  Total investment income                                                                    240,391
                                                                                          ----------
Expenses 
 Investment advisory fee                                                                     109,725
 Financial agent fee                                                                           8,778
 Printing                                                                                     19,739
 Custodian                                                                                    17,586
 Trustees                                                                                     15,978
 Professional                                                                                 13,215
 Miscellaneous                                                                                 1,697
 Expenses borne by investment adviser                                                        (40,418) 
                                                                                          ----------
  Total expenses                                                                             146,300
                                                                                          ----------
Net investment income                                                                         94,091
                                                                                          ----------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 
 Net realized loss on securities                                                            (438,134) 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                       1,521,136
                                                                                          ----------
Net gain on investments                                                                    1,083,002
                                                                                          ----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                      $1,177,093
                                                                                          ==========
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-45 
<PAGE> 

                            STRATEGIC THEME SERIES 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             From Inception 
                                                                                               1/29/96 to 
                                                                                                12/31/96 
                                                                                             ---------------- 
<S>                                                                                           <C>
From Operations 
 Net investment income                                                                        $     94,091 
 Net realized loss                                                                                (438,134) 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                                            1,521,136 
                                                                                             -------------
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                            1,177,093
                                                                                             -------------
From Distributions to Shareholders 
 Net investment income                                                                             (94,091) 
 Tax return of capital                                                                             (21,960) 
                                                                                             ------------- 
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders                                        (116,051) 
                                                                                             ------------- 
From Share Transactions 
 Proceeds from sales of shares (3,425,481 shares)                                               36,431,726 
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions (10,456 shares)               116,051 
 Cost of shares repurchased (1,070,444 shares)                                                 (11,636,810) 
                                                                                             ------------- 
 Increase in net assets from share transactions                                                 24,910,967 
                                                                                             ------------- 
 Net increase in net assets                                                                     25,972,009 
Net Assets 
 Beginning of period                                                                                     0 
                                                                                             ------------- 
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $0)                          $ 25,972,009 
                                                                                             ============= 
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             From Inception 
                                                                                               1/29/96 to 
                                                                                                12/31/96 
                                                                                             ---------------- 
<S>                                                                                              <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period                                                              $10.00 
Income from investment operations 
 Net investment income                                                                              0.04(2) 
 Net realized and unrealized gain                                                                   0.99 
                                                                                                  ------
  Total from investment operations                                                                  1.03
                                                                                                  ------
Less distributions 
 Dividends from net investment income                                                              (0.04) 
 Tax return of capital                                                                             (0.01) 
                                                                                                  ------
  Total distributions                                                                              (0.05) 
                                                                                                  ------
Change in net asset value                                                                           0.98 
                                                                                                  ------
Net asset value, end of period                                                                    $10.98 
                                                                                                  ======

Total return                                                                                       10.33%(3) 
Ratios/supplemental data: 
Net assets, end of period (thousands)                                                            $25,972 
Ratio to average net assets of: 
 Operating expenses                                                                                 1.00%(1) 
 Net investment income                                                                              0.64%(1) 
Portfolio turnover rate                                                                              391%(3) 
Average commission rate paid(4)                                                                  $0.0587 
</TABLE>

(1) Annualized 
(2) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of 
    $0.02 per share. 
(3) Not annualized 
(4) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is 
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for securities 
    trades on which commissions are charged. This rate generally does not 
    reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares traded on a principal 
    basis. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-46 
<PAGE> 

                           ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES 

  The performance of Asian equity markets since the launch of the Aberdeen New 
Asia Series has been mixed, with the solid gains in Hong Kong, Malaysia and 
Indonesia to some extent offset by falls in Thailand and South Korea. Since 
its inception on September 17, 1996 through December 31, 1996, the Fund has 
returned 0.16%. During this same period, its benchmark, the Morgan Stanley 
Capital International AC Asia Pacific ex Japan Index, returned 3.30%.* All of 
these figures assume reinvestment of any distributions. 

  A key factor in the Fund trailing the market has been the surge in the Hong 
Kong stock market and in particular, local property stocks that dominate the 
Hang Seng Index. We continue to hold the view that the risk in the property 
sector, with prices now amongst the highest in the world, is high and further 
upside is limited. We therefore have minimal exposure to Hong Kong property 
in the portfolio. 

  In 1996, the emerging markets of the Far East enjoyed another year of strong 
economic growth, with average GDP growth of around 7%. Earnings growth has 
come in at the healthy level of 10-15%. 

  We have overweighted the stock markets of Indonesia and the Philippines, 
which are benefiting from improved economic fundamentals. The Malaysian 
economy is fulfilling our expectations although stock market valuations 
appear stretched. Meanwhile, our investments in Australia are concentrated in 
the industrial, commercial and financial sectors and generally have as a 
common theme exposure to Asia and the added growth to be obtained from 
transferring their proven expertise to the region. 

  The Indian sub-continent, although far from a mirror image of the 
traditional Asian tiger, offers tremendous growth potential and 
encouragingly, corporate management of the highest quality can be found. 

  Where we have been disappointed is in Korea and Thailand, but at current 
stock market levels, feel the concerns overdone. Although the brightest light 
economically has been China, it is frustrating that there are few companies 
of sufficient quality in which to invest and our investment exposure remains 
minimal. 

  Looking ahead, 1997 promises to be very similar to 1996. Average GDP growth 
will be strong, running at around 7%, whilst governments continue to put the 
economy at the top of their list of priorities. With trade becoming even more 
intra regional and businesses moving across borders, our investment emphasis 
will be keenly focused at the company level. We believe that quality 
management and product as well as financial strength are crucial to long-term 
investment returns. To identify these characteristics, our management team in 
Singapore made well over 600 company visits in 1996. 

Total Returns for Period Ending 12/31/96 

                                                 From 
                                              Inception 
                                              9/17/96 to 
                                               12/31/96 
 ------------------------------------------- ------------ 
Aberdeen New Asia Series                        0.16% 
 -------------------------------------------   ---------- 
MSCI AC Asia Pacific Ex Japan Index*            3.30% 
 -------------------------------------------   ---------- 

 *Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country Asia Pacific (excluding 
  Japan) Index is a market-value weighted average of the performance of 
  approximately 690 securities listed on the stock exchanges of 14 countries 
  in Asia and the Pacific Basin. Performance is calculated on a total return 
  basis, as reported by Frank Russell Company. 

                                     2-47 
<PAGE> 

                           ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES 
                           SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS 
                              December 31, 1996 

                                                    SHARES       VALUE 
                                                 ------------  ------------ 
COMMON STOCKS--91.2% 
Australia--13.1% 
 Australian Gas Light Co. Ltd. (Utility-Gas)         70,000   $   398,094
 Davids Ltd. (Retail)                               220,000       309,293
 Pacific BBA Ltd. (Miscellaneous)                   110,000       387,053
 QBE Insurance Group Ltd. (Insurance)                80,000       421,287
                                                                ---------
                                                                1,515,727
                                                                ---------
Hong Kong--23.7% 
 CDL Hotels International Ltd. (Hotels)             600,000       343,249
 Giordano International Ltd. (Retail)               300,000       255,983
 HSBC Holdings PLC (Banks)                           24,800       530,634
 Hongkong Electric Holdings Ltd. 
  (Utility-Electric)                                110,000       365,486
 National Mutual Asia Ltd. (Insurance)              376,000       357,290
 Qingling Motors Co. (Autos & Trucks)               254,000       140,383
 Smartone Telecommunications (Utility-Telephone) 
  (b)                                               175,000       334,846
 Swire Pacific Ltd. Class B (Miscellaneous)         275,000       415,972
                                                                ---------
                                                                2,743,843
                                                                ---------
India--6.9% 
 Grasim Industries Ltd. Sponsored GDR 
  (Engineering & Construction)                       30,000       457,500
 Industrial Credit & Investment Corporation of 
  India Ltd. Sponsored GDR (Diversified 
  Financial Services) (b)                            35,000       341,250
                                                                ---------
                                                                  798,750
                                                                ---------
Indonesia--9.4% 
 PT Bank Bali (Banks)                               165,000       412,064
 PT Duta Anggada Realty (Property)                  200,000       186,243
 PT Indosat (Utility-Telephone)                     180,000       495,238
                                                                ---------
                                                                1,093,545
                                                                ---------
Malaysia--9.2% 
 AMMB Holdings Berhad (Diversified Financial 
  Services)                                          60,000       503,663
 Malaysian Oxygen Berhad (Chemical)                  65,000       334,587
 Sime UEP Properties Berhad (Property)               90,000       231,637
                                                                ---------
                                                                1,069,887
                                                                ---------
Philippines--6.6% 
 Ayala Land, Inc. Class B (Property)                335,000       382,129
 Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. 
  Sponsored ADR (Utility-Telephone)                   7,500       382,500
                                                                ---------
                                                                  764,629
                                                                ---------
Singapore--8.0% 
 Development Bank of Singapore Ltd. (Banks)          30,000       405,347
 Robinson & Co. Ltd. (Retail)                        60,000       242,351
 Rothmans Industries Ltd. (Tobacco)                  65,000       276,487
                                                                ---------
                                                                  924,185
                                                                ---------
South Korea--6.0% 
 Korea Electric Power Corp. Sponsored ADR 
  (Utility-Electric)                                 20,000   $   410,000
 Samsung Electronics Sponsored GDR 144A 
  (Electronics) (c)                                  15,000       285,000
                                                                ---------
                                                                  695,000
                                                                ---------
Thailand--8.3% 
 Ruam Pattana Fund II (Closed End Mutual Fund)    1,000,000       409,516
 Siam Cement Co. Ltd. (Building & Construction)       9,500       297,894
 Siam Commercial Bank Public Co. Ltd. (Banks)        35,000       253,900
                                                                ---------
                                                                  961,310
                                                                ---------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS 
 (Identified cost $10,571,928)                                 10,566,876
                                                                ---------


                                       STANDARD 
                                       & POOR'S      PAR 
                                        RATING      VALUE 
                                      (Unaudited)   (000) 
                                     ------------  ------- 
CONVERTIBLE BONDS--0.8% 
Thailand--0.8% 
 Siam Commercial Bank Public Co. Ltd. 
  Cv. 3.25%, '04 (Banks)                  NR       $  100          87,500
                                                             ------------
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS 
 (Identified cost $105,000)                                        87,500
                                                             ------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--92.0% 
 (Identified cost $10,676,928)                                 10,654,376
                                                             ------------
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS--11.2% 
  Brown Brothers Harriman repurchase agreement, 
  5.75%, dated 12/31/96 due 1/2/97, repurchase 
  price $1,300,415, collateralized by U.S. 
  Treasury Note 6.50%, 4/30/97, market value 
  $1,327,670                                        1,300       1,300,000
                                                             ------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS 
(Identified cost $1,300,000)                                    1,300,000
                                                             ------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--103.2% 
(Identified cost $11,976,928)                                  11,954,376(a) 
Cash and receivables, less liabilities--(3.2%)                   (369,170) 
                                                             ------------
NET ASSETS--100.0%                                            $11,585,206
                                                             ============

(a) Federal Income Tax Information: Net unrealized depreciation of investment 
    securities is comprised of gross appreciation of $465,515 and gross 
    depreciation of $509,532 for income tax purposes. At December 31, 1996 
    the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was 
    $11,998,393. 

(b) Non-income producing. 

(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act 
    of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from 
    registration normally to qualify institutional buyers. At December 31, 
    1996, these securities amounted to a value of $285,000 or 2.5% of net 
    assets. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-48 
<PAGE> 

                           ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES 
                           INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION 
        As a Percentage of Total Value of Total Long-Term Investments 
                                 (Unaudited) 

Autos & Trucks                        1.3% 
Banks                                15.9 
Building & Construction               2.8 
Chemical                              3.1 
Closed End Mutual Fund                3.9 
Diversified Financial Services        7.9 
Electronics                           2.7 
Engineering & Construction            4.3 
Hotels                                3.2 
Insurance                             7.3 
Miscellaneous                         7.5 
Property                              7.5 
Retail                                7.6 
Tobacco                               2.6 
Utility-Electric                      7.3 
Utility-Gas                           3.7 
Utility-Telephone                    11.4 
                                    ----- 
                                    100.0% 
                                    ===== 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-49 
<PAGE> 

                           ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Assets 
 Investment securities at value (Identified cost $10,676,928)                            $10,654,376
 Repurchase agreement (Identified cost $1,300,000)                                         1,300,000
 Cash                                                                                         57,338
 Interest and dividends receivable                                                            22,224
 Receivable from adviser                                                                      11,584
 Tax reclaim receivable                                                                          129
                                                                                          ----------
  Total assets                                                                            12,045,651
                                                                                          ----------
Liabilities 
 Payable for investment securities purchased                                                 386,031
 Payable for fund shares repurchased                                                          33,218
 Trustees' fee                                                                                 2,910
 Financial agent fee                                                                           1,457
 Accrued expenses                                                                             36,829
                                                                                          ----------
  Total liabilities                                                                          460,445
                                                                                          ----------
Net Assets                                                                               $11,585,206
                                                                                          ==========
Net Assets Consist of: 
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest                                        $11,604,992
 Distributions in excess of net investment income                                             (3,944) 
 Accumulated net realized gain                                                                 6,760 
 Net unrealized depreciation                                                                 (22,602) 
                                                                                          ----------
Net Assets                                                                               $11,585,206
                                                                                          ==========
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $1 par value, unlimited authorization           1,162,650
                                                                                          ==========
Net asset value and offering price per share                                                   $9.96
                                                                                               =====
</TABLE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
From inception September 17, 1996 to December 31, 1996 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                        <C>
Investment Income 
 Interest                                                                                  $49,108 
 Dividends                                                                                  46,457 
 Foreign taxes withheld                                                                     (6,838) 
                                                                                          --------
  Total investment income                                                                   88,727
                                                                                          --------
Expenses 
 Investment advisory fee                                                                    24,279
 Financial agent fee                                                                         1,457 
 Custodian                                                                                  24,539 
 Printing                                                                                    7,235 
 Trustees                                                                                    6,104 
 Professional                                                                                4,791 
 Miscellaneous                                                                               1,223 
 Expenses borne by investment adviser                                                      (39,279) 
                                                                                          --------
  Total expenses                                                                            30,349
                                                                                          --------
Net investment income                                                                       58,378
                                                                                          --------
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 
 Net realized gain on securities                                                             6,760 
 Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions                                         (3,432) 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                       (22,552) 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency and foreign 
  currency transactions                                                                        (50) 
                                                                                          --------
Net loss on investments                                                                    (19,274) 
                                                                                          --------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                       $39,104
                                                                                          ========
</TABLE>

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-50 
<PAGE> 

                           ABERDEEN NEW ASIA SERIES 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              From Inception 
                                                                                                9/17/96 to 
                                                                                                 12/31/96 
                                                                                              ---------------- 
<S>                                                                                             <C>
From Operations 
 Net investment income                                                                          $    58,378 
 Net realized gain                                                                                    3,328 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                                               (22,602) 
                                                                                              ------------- 
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                                39,104 
                                                                                              ------------- 
From Distributions to Shareholders 
 Net investment income                                                                              (58,378) 
 In excess of net investment income                                                                    (512) 
                                                                                              ------------- 
 Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders                                          (58,890) 
                                                                                              ------------- 
From Share Transactions 
 Proceeds from sales of shares (1,343,657 shares)                                                13,400,256 
 Net asset value of shares issued from reinvestment of distributions (5,928 shares)                  58,890 
 Cost of shares repurchased (186,935 shares)                                                     (1,854,154) 
                                                                                              ------------- 
 Increase in net assets from share transactions                                                  11,604,992 
                                                                                              ------------- 
 Net increase in net assets                                                                      11,585,206 
Net Assets 
 Beginning of period                                                                                      0 
                                                                                              ------------- 
 End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income of $3,944)           $11,585,206 
                                                                                              ============= 
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
(Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the indicated period) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              From Inception 
                                                                                                9/17/96 to 
                                                                                                 12/31/96 
                                                                                              ---------------- 
<S>                                                                                               <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period                                                               $10.00 
Income from investment operations 
 Net investment income                                                                               0.05(2) 
 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)                                                            (0.04) 
                                                                                                   ------
  Total from investment operations                                                                   0.01
                                                                                                   ------
Less distributions 
 Dividends from net investment income                                                               (0.05) 
                                                                                                   ------
  Total distributions                                                                               (0.05) 
                                                                                                   ------
Change in net asset value                                                                           (0.04) 
                                                                                                   ------
Net asset value, end of period                                                                      $9.96 
                                                                                                   ======

Total return                                                                                         0.16%(3) 
Ratios/supplemental data: 
Net assets, end of period (thousands)                                                             $11,585 
Ratio to average net assets of: 
 Operating expenses                                                                                  1.25%(1) 
 Net investment income                                                                               2.40%(1) 
Portfolio turnover rate                                                                                 2%(3) 
Average commission rate paid(4)                                                                   $0.0109 
</TABLE>

(1) Annualized 
(2) Includes reimbursement of operating expenses by investment adviser of 
    $0.03 per share. 
(3) Not annualized 
(4) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is 
    required to disclose its average commission rate per share for 
    securities trades on which commissions are charged. This rate 
    generally does not reflect mark-ups, mark-downs, or spreads on shares 
    traded on a principal basis. 

                      See Notes to Financial Statements 

                                     2-51 
<PAGE> 

                         THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND 
                        NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
                              December 31, 1996 

Note 1--Organization 
   The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (the "Fund") is organized as a Massachusetts 
   business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 
   as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The Fund is 
   comprised of the Money Market, Growth, Multi-Sector Fixed Income (formerly 
   Bond), Total Return, International, Balanced, Real Estate Securities 
   ("Real Estate"), Strategic Theme and Aberdeen New Asia Series. The Board 
   of Trustees voted to change the name of the Total Return Series to the 
   Strategic Allocation Series, which name will be used starting in 1997. The 
   Fund was established as part of the December 8, 1986 reorganization of the 
   Phoenix Home Life Variable Accumulation Account (the Account) from a 
   management investment company to a unit investment trust under the 
   Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund is organized with Series which 
   are available only to the sub-accounts of the Phoenix Home Life Variable 
   Accumulation Account, the Phoenix Home Life Variable Universal Life 
   Account, the PHL Variable Accumulation Account, and the Phoenix Home Life 
   Separate Accounts B, C, and D. 

   Each Series has distinct investment objectives. The Money Market Series 
   seeks to provide maximum current income consistent with capital 
   preservation and liquidity. The Growth Series seeks to achieve 
   intermediate and long-term growth of capital, with income as a secondary 
   consideration. The Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series seeks to provide 
   long-term total return by investing in a diversified portfolio of high 
   yield and high quality fixed income securities. The Total Return Series 
   seeks to realize as high a level of total rate of return over an extended 
   period of time as is considered consistent with prudent investment risk by 
   investing in three market segments; stocks, bonds and money market 
   instruments. The International Series seeks as its investment objective a 
   high total return consistent with reasonable risk by investing primarily 
   in an internationally diversified portfolio of equity securities. The 
   Balanced Series seeks to provide reasonable income, long-term growth and 
   conservation of capital. The Real Estate Series seeks to achieve capital 
   appreciation and income with approximately equal emphasis through 
   investments in real estate investment trusts and companies that operate, 
   manage, develop or invest in real estate. The Strategic Theme Series seeks 
   long-term appreciation of capital by investing in securities that the 
   adviser believes are well positioned to benefit from cultural, 
   demographic, regulatory, social or technological changes worldwide. The 
   Aberdeen New Asia Series seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation 
   by investing primarily in diversified equity securities of issuers 
   organized and principally operating in Asia, excluding Japan. 

Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies 
   The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently 
   followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The 
   preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted 
   accounting principles requires management to make estimates and 
   assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, 
   revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

A. Security Valuation 
   Equity securities are valued at the last sale price, or if there had been 
   no sale that day, at the last bid price. Debt securities are valued on the 
   basis of broker quotations or valuations provided by a pricing service 
   which utilizes information with respect to recent sales, market 
   transactions in comparable securities, quotations from dealers, and 
   various relationships between securities in determining value. Short-term 
   investments having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at 
   amortized cost which approximates market. All other securities and assets 
   are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by or under the 
   direction of the Trustees.

   The Money Market Series uses the amortized cost method of security 
   valuation which, in the opinion of the Trustees, represents the fair value 
   of the particular security. The Trustees monitor the deviations between 
   the Series' net asset value per share as determined by using available 
   market quotations and its amortized cost per share. If the deviation 
   exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the Board of Trustees will consider what action, if 
   any, should be initiated to provide fair valuation. The Series attempts to 
   maintain a constant net asset value of $10 per share. 

B. Security Transactions and Related Income 
   Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Interest income is 
   recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the 
   ex-dividend date, or in the case of certain foreign securities, as soon as 
   the Fund is notified. The Fund does not amortize premiums except for the 
   Money Market Series, but does amortize discounts using the effective 
   interest method. Realized gains and losses are determined on the 
   identified cost basis. 

C. Income Taxes 
   Each of the Series is treated as a separate taxable entity. It is the 
   policy of each Series to comply with the requirements of the Internal 
   Revenue Code, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to 
   distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. In 
   addition, each Series intends to distribute an amount sufficient to avoid 
   imposition of any excise tax under Section 4982 of the Code. Therefore, no 
   provision for federal income taxes or excise taxes has been made. 

D. Distributions to Shareholders 
   Distributions are recorded by each Series on the ex-dividend date and all 
   distributions are reinvested into the Fund. Income and capital gain 
   distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations 
   which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These 
   differences include the treatment of non-taxable dividends, expiring 
   capital loss carryforwards, foreign currency gain/loss, partnerships, and 
   losses deferred due to wash sales and excise tax regulations. Permanent 
   book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will 
   result in reclassifications to paid in capital. 

                                     2-52 
<PAGE> 

                         THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 
                              December 31, 1996 

E. Foreign Currency Translation 
   Foreign securities, other assets and liabilities are valued using the 
   foreign currency exchange rate effective at the end of the reporting 
   period. Purchases and sales of foreign investments and income and expenses 
   are translated into U.S. dollars based upon exchange rates prevailing on 
   the respective dates of such transactions. The gain or loss resulting from 
   a change in exchange rates between the trade and settlement dates of a 
   portfolio transaction or between the date income is accrued and paid is 
   treated as a gain or loss on foreign currency. The Fund does not separate 
   that portion of the results of operations arising from changes in exchange 
   rates and that portion arising from changes in the market prices of 
   securities. 

F. Forward Currency Contracts 
   Each Series may enter into forward currency contracts in conjunction with 
   the planned purchase or sale of foreign denominated securities in order to 
   hedge the U.S. dollar cost or proceeds. Forward currency contracts 
   involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk in excess of the 
   amount recognized in the statement of assets and liabilities. Risks arise 
   from the possible movements in foreign exchange rates or if the 
   counterparty does not perform under the contract. 

   A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a 
   specific currency at a future date, which may be any number of days from 
   the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the 
   time of the contract. These contracts are traded directly between currency 
   traders and their customers. The contract is marked-to-market daily and 
   the change in market value is recorded by the Series as an unrealized gain 
   (or loss). When the contract is closed or offset with the same 
   counterparty, the Series records a realized gain (or loss) equal to the 
   change in the value of the contract when it was opened and the value at 
   the time it was closed or offset. 

G. Futures Contracts 
   A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a 
   security at a set price on a future date. A Series may enter into 
   financial futures contracts as a hedge against anticipated changes in the 
   market value of their portfolio securities. Upon entering into a futures 
   contract, the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash 
   and/or securities equal to the "initial margin" requirements of the 
   futures exchange on which the contract is traded. Pursuant to the 
   contract, the Series agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount 
   of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such 
   receipts or payments are known as variation margins and are recorded by 
   the Series as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed, the 
   Series records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the 
   value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time 
   it was closed. The potential risk to the Series is that the change in 
   value of the futures contract may not correspond to the change in value of 
   the hedged instruments. 

H. Trust Expenses 
   Expenses incurred by the Fund with respect to any two or more Series are 
   allocated in proportion to the net assets of each Series, except where 
   allocation of direct expense to each Series or an alternative allocation 
   method can be more fairly made. 

I. Credit Risk 
   In countries with limited or developing markets, investments may present 
   greater risks than in more developed markets and the prices of such 
   investments may be volatile. The consequences of political, social or 
   economic changes in these markets may have disruptive effects on the 
   market prices of these investments and the income they generate, as well 
   as a fund's ability to repatriate such amounts. 

J. When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions 
   Each Series may engage in when-issued or delayed delivery transactions. 
   The Series record when-issued securities on the trade date and maintain 
   collateral for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a 
   when-issued or delayed delivery basis begin earning interest on the 
   settlement date. 

K. Repurchase Agreements 
   A repurchase agreement is a transaction where a Series acquires a security 
   for cash and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller to 
   repurchase the security at an agreed upon price and date. The Series, 
   through its custodian, takes possession of securities collateralizing the 
   repurchase agreement. The collateral is marked to market daily to ensure 
   that the market value of the underlying assets remains sufficient to 
   protect the Series in the event of default by the seller. If the seller 
   defaults and the value of the collateral declines or, if the seller enters 
   insolvency proceedings, realization of collateral may be delayed or 
   limited. 

Note 3--Investment Advisory Fees and Related Party Transactions 
   As compensation for its advisory services to the Fund, Phoenix Investment 
   Counsel, Inc. ("PIC"), an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Phoenix 
   Home Life Insurance Company ("PHL") is entitled to a fee, based upon the 
   following annual rates as a percentage of the average daily net assets of 
   each separate Series listed below: 

                                     2-53 
<PAGE> 

                         THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 
                              December 31, 1996 

                             Rate for first   Rate for next    Rate for excess
Series                        $250 million    $250 million    over $500 million
- -------------------------    -------------    -------------   -----------------
Money Market                     0.40%            0.35%             0.30% 
Multi-Sector Fixed Income        0.50             0.45              0.40 
Balanced                         0.55             0.50              0.45 
Total Return                     0.60             0.55              0.50 
Growth                           0.70             0.65              0.60 
International                    0.75             0.70              0.65 
Strategic Theme                  0.75             0.70              0.65 

  The investment adviser for the Real Estate Series is Phoenix Realty 
  Securities, Inc. ("PRS"). PRS is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of 
  PHL. For its services, PRS is entitled to a fee at an annual rate of 0.75% 
  of the average daily net assets for the first $1 billion. Pursuant to a 
  Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Series, PRS delegates certain investment 
  decisions and research functions to ABKB/LaSalle Securities Limited 
  Partnership ("ABKB") for which ABKB is paid a fee by PRS equal to 0.45% of 
  the average daily net assets of the Real Estate Series for the first $1 
  billion. 

  Phoenix-Aberdeen International Advisors, LLC ("PAIA") serves as the 
  investment adviser to the Aberdeen New Asia Series. PAIA is a joint venture 
  between PM Holdings, Inc., a direct subsidiary of PHL, and Aberdeen Fund 
  Managers, Inc. ("Aberdeen"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aberdeen Trust 
  PLC. PAIA is entitled to a fee, at an annual rate of 1.00% of the average 
  daily net assets of the Aberdeen New Asia Series. Pursuant to Sub-advisory 
  agreements, PAIA delegates certain investment decisions and functions to 
  other entities. PIC receives a fee of 0.30% of the average daily net assets 
  of the Aberdeen New Asia Series from PAIA for providing research and other 
  domestic advisory services, as needed. In addition, PAIA also pays a 
  sub-advisory fee to Aberdeen of 0.40% of the average daily net assets of the 
  Aberdeen New Asia Series for implementing certain portfolio transactions and 
  providing research and other services. 

  Each Series (except the International, Real Estate, Strategic Theme and 
  Aberdeen New Asia Series) pays a portion or all of its other operating 
  expenses (not including management fee, interest, taxes, brokerage fees and 
  commissions), up to 0.15% of its average net assets. The International, Real 
  Estate, Strategic Theme and Aberdeen New Asia Series pay other operating 
  expenses up to 0.40%, 0.25%, 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, of its average 
  net assets. Expenses above these limits are paid by the Advisers, PIC, PRS, 
  PAIA and/or PHL and/or PHL Variable Insurance Company. 

  As Financial Agent to the Fund and to each Series, PHL receives a fee at an 
  annual rate of 0.06% of the average daily net assets of each Series for 
  bookkeeping, administrative and pricing services. 

  At December 31, 1996, PHL and affiliates held shares in the Phoenix Edge 
  Series Fund and/or in the underlying unit investment trusts which had the 
  following aggregate value: 

  Growth Series                 $7,778,391 
  Real Estate Series             7,679,000 
  Strategic Theme Series         2,422,000 
  Aberdeen New Asia Series       2,994,000 

Note 4--Purchases and Sales of Securities 
   Purchases and sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 1996 
   (excluding U.S. Government securities, short-term securities, and forward 
   currency contracts) aggregated the following: 

                                          Purchases          Sales 
                                       ---------------  --------------- 
  Growth Series                         $1,865,968,350  $1,647,416,886 
  Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series         137,698,754     116,707,797 
  Total Return Series                      759,164,211     694,169,119 
  International Series                     207,432,815     200,198,274 
  Balanced Series                          338,117,817     337,496,248 
  Real Estate Series                        12,152,673       2,561,373 
  Strategic Theme Series                    75,112,297      50,743,367 
  Aberdeen New Asia Series                  10,809,057         138,890 

   There were no purchases or sales of such securities in the Money Market 
   Series. 

                                     2-54 
<PAGE> 

                         THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 
                              December 31, 1996 

  Purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities during the year 
  ended December 31, 1996 aggregated the following: 

                                          Purchases          Sales 
                                       ---------------  --------------- 
  Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series       $113,666,060    $104,348,297 
  Total Return Series                     159,225,544     193,278,713 
  Balanced Series                          68,657,655      61,795,350 

  There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities in 
  the Money Market, Growth, International, Strategic Theme, Real Estate, or 
  Aberdeen New Asia Series. 

Note 5--Forward Currency Contracts 
   At December 31, 1996, the International Series had entered into various 
   forward currency contracts which contractually obligate the Series to 
   deliver currencies at specified dates. Open contracts were as follows: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 In                                           Net 
    Short Contracts           Exchange       Settlement                   Unrealized 
       to Deliver               For             Date         Value       Appreciation 
- -----------------------  ------------------------------- -------------  --------------- 
<S>      <C>             <C>    <C>            <C>        <C>             <C>
DM           9,630,000   USD     6,321,387     1/6/97     $ 6,205,293     $  116,094
SF           7,640,000   USD     6,133,098     1/6/97       5,676,499        456,599
YEN      1,252,000,000   USD    11,330,829     1/6/97      10,831,052        499,777
                                                                         -----------
                                                                          $1,072,470
                                                                         ===========
</TABLE>

DM = German Deutsche Mark 
SF = Swiss Franc 

YEN = Japanese Yen 
USD = U.S. Dollar 

Note 6--Reclassification of Capital Accounts 
   In accordance with accounting pronouncements, the Series of the Fund have 
   recorded several reclassifications in the capital accounts. As of December 
   31, 1996, the Series recorded the following reclassifications to increase 
   (decrease) the accounts listed below: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Capital paid 
                                       Undistributed    Accumulated     in on shares 
                                      net investment    net realized    of beneficial 
                                          income       gains/(losses)     interest 
                                     ---------------- ---------------  --------------- 
<S>                                     <C>             <C>               <C>      
Growth Series                           $  (25,548)     $    25,548       $     -- 
Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series            69,698          (69,698)            -- 
Total Return Series                        (57,892)          57,891              1 
International Series                     1,662,959       (2,091,139)       428,180 
Balanced Series                              6,444             (748)        (5,696) 
Aberdeen New Asia Series                    (3,432)           3,432             -- 
Real Estate Series                              --               80            (80) 
</TABLE>

Note 7--Capital Loss Carryovers 
   At December 31, 1996, the Strategic Theme Series had available for federal 
   income tax purposes unused capital losses of $396,065 expiring in 2003. In 
   addition, the Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series was able to utilize losses 
   deferred in the prior year against current year capital gains in the 
   amount of $1,708,357. 

   Under current tax law, capital losses realized after October 31, 1996 may 
   be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following tax 
   year. For the calendar year ended December 31, 1996, the Growth and 
   Aberdeen New Asia Series elected to defer $613 and $1,755, respectively, 
   in losses occurring between November 1, 1996 and December 31, 1996. In 
   addition, the International Series was able to utilize losses deferred in 
   the prior year against current year capital gains in the amount of 
   $1,730,497. 

TAX INFORMATION NOTICE (Unaudited) 
   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, the following Series 
   distributed long-term capital gains dividends as follows: 

Growth Series                          $33,007,184 
Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series         2,669,277 
Total Return Series                      9,454,283 
International Series                     2,935,239 
Balanced Series                          5,689,751 
Real Estate Series                         130,779 

                                     2-55 
<PAGE> 

                      REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS 

Price Waterhouse LLP                                   [PRICE WATERHOUSE LOGO] 

To the Shareholders and Trustees of 
The Phoenix Edge Series Fund 

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, 
including the schedules of investments (except for bond ratings), and the 
related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the 
financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of the Money Market Series, Growth Series, Multi-Sector Fixed Income 
(formerly Bond) Series, Total Return Series, International Series, Balanced 
Series, Real Estate Series, Strategic Theme Series and Aberdeen New Asia 
Series (constituting The Phoenix Edge Series Fund, hereafter referred to as 
the "Fund") at December 31, 1996, and the results of their operations, the 
changes in their net assets and the financial highlights for each of the 
periods indicated, in conformity with generally accepted accounting 
principles. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter 
referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's 
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial 
statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which 
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An 
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts 
and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting 
principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating 
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, 
which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 1996 by 
correspondence with the custodians and brokers (and the application of 
alternative auditing procedures where confirmations from brokers were not 
received), provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. 

/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP 

Boston, Massachusetts 
February 12, 1997 

                                     2-56 
<PAGE> 

THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND 
101 Munson Street 
Greenfield, Massachusetts 01301 

Board of Trustees 
C. Duane Blinn 
Robert Chesek 
E. Virgil Conway 
Harry Dalzell-Payne 
Francis E. Jeffries 
Leroy Keith, Jr. 
Philip R. McLoughlin 
Everett L. Morris 
James M. Oates 
Calvin J. Pedersen 
Philip R. Reynolds 
Herbert Roth, Jr. 
Richard E. Segerson 
Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. 

Officers 
Philip R. McLoughlin, President 
Michael E. Haylon, Executive Vice President 
David R. Pepin, Executive Vice President 
William J. Newman, Senior Vice President 
Hugh Young, Senior Vice President 
Curtiss O. Barrows, Vice President 
Mary E. Canning, Vice President 
Jeanne H. Dorey, Vice President 
Jean Claude Gruet, Vice President 
William E. Keen III, Vice President 
Christopher J. Kelleher, Vice President 
David Lui, Vice President 
William R. Moyer, Vice President 
Scott C. Noble, Vice President 
C. Edwin Riley, Jr., Vice President 
Amy L. Robinson, Vice President 
Barbara Rubin, Vice President 
Leonard J. Saltiel, Vice President 
Dorothy J. Skaret, Vice President 
James D. Wehr, Vice President 
Nancy G. Curtiss, Treasurer 
G. Jeffrey Bohne, Secretary 

Investment Advisers 
Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. 
56 Prospect Street 
Hartford, Connecticut 06115-0480 

Phoenix Realty Securities, Inc. 
(Real Estate Series) 
38 Prospect Street 
Hartford, Connecticut 06115-0479 

Phoenix-Aberdeen International Advisors, LLC 
(Aberdeen New Asia Series) 
56 Prospect Street 
Hartford, Connecticut 06115-0480 

Custodians 
The Chase Manhattan Bank 
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza 
Floor 3B 
New York, New York 10081 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. 
(Aberdeen New Asia Series and International Series) 
40 Water Street 
Boston, Massachusetts 02109 

State Street Bank and Trust Company 
(Real Estate Series) 
P.O. Box 351 
Boston, Massachusetts 02101 

Legal Counsel 
Jorden Burt, Berenson & Johnson LLP 
Suite 400 East 
1025 Thomas Jefferson Street N.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20007-0805 

Transfer Agent 
Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation 
100 Bright Meadow Boulevard 
P.O. Box 2200 
Enfield, Connecticut 06083-2200 

Independent Accountants 
Price Waterhouse LLP 
160 Federal Street 
Boston, Massachusetts 02110 

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in 
The Phoenix Edge Series Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective 
Prospectus which includes information concerning the Fund's Record and other 
pertinent information. 


<PAGE>

                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND
                            PART C--OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 24.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
         (a)   Financial Statements.
               1.   Condensed Financial Information is included in Part A of the
                    Registration Statement.

   
               2.   Financial Statements and Notes, thereto, are included in the
                    Semiannual Report to Shareholders for the period ended June
                    30, 1997; and Financial Statements and Notes thereto, and 
                    Report of Independent Accountants are included in the Annual
                    Report to Shareholders for the period ended December 31, 
                    1996, incorporated by reference.
    

         (b)   Exhibits:
               1.   Declaration of Trust of the Registrant dated February 18,
                    1986, filed with the Registration Statement on Form N-1A on
                    April 18, 1986 and filed via Edgar with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 18 on June 20, 1996.

               1.1  Amendment to Declaration of Trust, establishing the
                    International Series, filed with Post-Effective Amendment
                    No. 7 on March 2, 1992 and filed via Edgar with
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 on April 29, 1997.

               1.2  Amendment to Declaration of Trust, conforming the Fund's
                    borrowing restrictions to California Department's Borrowing
                    Guidelines, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 on
                    March 2, 1992 and filed via Edgar with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 20 on April 29, 1997.

               1.3  Amendment to Declaration of Trust, establishing the Balanced
                    Series, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on April
                    28, 1992 and filed via Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment
                    No. 20 on April 29, 1997.

               1.4  Amendment to Declaration of Trust, establishing the Real
                    Estate Securities Series, filed with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 12 on February 16, 1995 and filed via Edgar
                    with Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 on April 29, 1997.

               1.5  Amendment to Declaration of Trust, establishing the
                    Strategic Theme Series, filed via Edgar with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 16 on January 29, 1996.

               1.6  Amendment to Declaration of Trust, changing the name of the
                    Series currently designated "Bond Series" to the
                    "Multi-Sector Fixed Income Series," filed via Edgar with
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 on April 17, 1996.

               1.7  Amendment to Declaration of Trust, establishing the Aberdeen
                    New Asia Series, filed via Edgar with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 19 on September 3, 1996.

               1.8  Amendment to Declaration of Trust, establishing the Research
                    Enhanced Index Series, filed via Edgar with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 22 on July 15, 1997.

               1.9  Amendment to Declaration of Trust, establishing five new 
                    Series. [To be filed by Amendment.]

               2.   Not Applicable.

               3.   Not Applicable.

               4.   Not Applicable.

               5.   Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and
                    Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. covering the Balanced,
                    Bond, Growth, Money Market, Total Return and International
                    Series, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 on May 2,
                    1994 and filed via Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No.
                    20 on April 29, 1997.

               5.1  Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and
                    Phoenix Realty Securities, Inc. covering the Phoenix
                    Real Estate Securities Series, filed with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 13, on April 28, 1995 and filed via Edgar
                    with Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 on April 29, 1997.

               5.2  Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and
                    Phoenix-Aberdeen International Advisors, LLC, covering the
                    Aberdeen New Asia Series, filed via Edgar with
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 on June 20, 1996.

               5.3  Form of Subadvisory Agreement between The Phoenix Edge
                    Series Fund and Aberdeen Fund Managers, Inc. filed via
                    Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 on September 3, 
                    1996.

               5.4  Form of Subadvisory Agreement between The Phoenix Edge 
                    Series Fund and Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. filed via
                    Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 on September 3, 
                    1996.

               5.5  Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and
                    Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc., covering the Research
                    Enhanced Index Series, filed via Edgar with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 22 on July 15, 1997.

               5.6  Form of Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, Phoenix 
                    Investment Counsel, Inc. and J. P. Morgan Investment
                    Management, Inc., covering the Research Enhanced Index 
                    Series, filed via Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No.
                    22 on July 15, 1997.

                                       C-1
<PAGE>

   
               5.7  Form of Subadvisory Agreement among the Registrant, Phoenix 
                    Realty Securities, Inc. and Duff & Phelps Investment 
                    Management Co., covering the Phoenix Real Estate Securities
                    Series, filed via Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No. 23
                    on December 12, 1997.

               5.8  Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and
                    Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc., covering the Engemann 
                    Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap Growth, Phoenix Income and 
                    Growth, Phoenix Value Equity and Schafer Mid-Cap Value 
                    Series, filed via Edgar herewith.

               5.9  Form of Investment Subadvisory Agreement among the 
                    Registrant, Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. and Roger 
                    Engemann & Associates, Seneca Capital Management, LLC and
                    Schafer Capital Management, Inc., filed via Edgar herewith.
    

               6.   Not Applicable.

               7.   Not Applicable.

               8.   Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant and The Chase
                    Manhattan Bank, N.A. covering the International Series, 
                    filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 on March 13, 1990
                    and filed via Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 
                    on April 29, 1997.

               8.1  Form of Amendment to Custodian Agreement covering
                    International, Money Market, Growth, Multi-Sector Fixed
                    Income, Strategic Income and Balanced Series, filed with
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 on March 2, 1992 and filed
                    via Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 on April 29,
                    1997.

               8.2  Custodian Agreement between Registrant and Brown Brothers 
                    Harriman & Co. covering the International and Asia
                    Series, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 on 
                    February 16, 1995 and filed via Edgar with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 20 on April 29, 1997.

   
               8.3  Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State 
                    Street Bank and Trust Company dated May 1, 1997 covering 
                    the Real Estate Securities and Enhanced Index Series,
                    filed via Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 on 
                    December 12, 1997.
    

               8.4  Amendment to Custodian Contract between Registrant and State
                    Street Bank and Trust Company dated October 17, 1996
                    and filed via Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 
                    on April 29, 1997.

               9.1  Form of Transfer Agency Agreement, filed with original 
                    Registration Statement on Form N-1A on April 18, 1986 and
                    filed via Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 on 
                    April 29, 1997.

               9.2  Form of Financial Agent Agreement filed via Edgar with 
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 on April 29, 1997.

               10.  Opinion and Consent of Counsel covering shares of the 
                    International, Multi-Sector Fixed Income, Growth, Money
                    Market, Balanced and Strategic Allocation Series, filed 
                    with Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 on March 2, 1992 and
                    filed via Edgar with Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 on 
                    April 29, 1997.

               10.1 Opinion and Consent of Counsel covering shares of the Real
                    Estate Securities Series, filed with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 13 on April 28, 1995 and filed via Edgar with
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 on April 29, 1997.

               10.2 Opinion and Consent of Counsel covering shares of the
                    Strategic Theme Series, filed via Edgar with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 16 on January 29, 1996.

               10.3 Opinion and Consent of Counsel covering shares of the
                    Aberdeen New Asia Series, filed via Edgar with
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 on September 3, 1996.

               10.4 Opinion and Consent of Counsel covering shares of the 
                    Research Enhanced Index Series filed via Edgar with
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on July 15, 1997.

   
               10.5 Opinion and Consent of Counsel covering shares of the
                    Engemann Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap Growth, Phoenix Growth
                    & Income, Phoenix Value Equity and Schafer Mid-Cap Value
                    Series filed via Edgar herewith.

               11.  Written Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, filed via Edgar 
                    with Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 on February 24, 1998.
    

               12.  Not Applicable.

               13.  Not Applicable.

               14.  Not Applicable.

               15.  Not Applicable.

               16.  Not Applicable.

   
               17.  Financial Data Schedule, filed via Edgar with Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 24 on December 12, 1997 and reflected on 
                    Edgar as Exhibit 27.
    

               18.  Powers of Attorney, filed via Edgar with Post-Effective 
                    Amendment No. 17 on April 17, 1996.


                                      C-2
<PAGE>


ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

    The following diagram illustrates the Registrant's place in the
organizational structure:


[graphic omitted]


                                      C-3
<PAGE>

ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES


   
            TITLE OF CLASS                             NUMBER OF RECORD HOLDERS
            --------------                              AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                        ----------------------
    
            Multi-Sector Series                                   4
            Money Market Series*                                  4
            Growth Series                                         7
            Allocation Series                                     4
            Balanced Series                                       4
            International Series                                  4
            Real Estate Series                                    5
            Theme Series                                          5
            Asia Series                                           5
            Enhanced Index Series                                 5
            Nifty Fifty Series                                    0
            Seneca Mid-Cap Series                                 0
            Value Series                                          0
            Growth & Income Series                                0
            Schafer Mid-Cap Series                                0

- -------------------
*Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company purchased 1 share of the Money Market
Series at a price of $10 per share on February 18, 1986.


ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION
    The Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund shall indemnify each of its
Trustees and officers against liabilities arising by reason of being or having
been a Trustee or officer, except for matters as to which such Trustee or
officer shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith and
except for liabilities arising by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of duties.

    Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.
   
    See "Management of the Fund" in the Prospectus and "Management of the Fund"
in the Statement of Additional Information for information regarding the
business of the Adviser. For information as to the business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantial nature of directors and officers of the
Adviser, reference is made to the Adviser's current Form ADV (SEC File Nos.
801-5995 for Phoenix Investment Counsel Inc.; 801-48190 for Phoenix Realty
Securities, Inc.; 801-52167 for Phoenix-Aberdeen International Advisors, LLC;
801-14813 for Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.) filed under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, incorporated herein by reference.
    


ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
           Not Applicable.

ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
           Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company
           One American Row
           Hartford, Connecticut 06115
                  and
           101 Munson Street
           P.O. Box 942
           Greenfield, Massachusetts 01302-0942

ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
           All management-related service contracts are discussed in Part A or B
of this Registration Statement.



                                     C-4

<PAGE>

ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS

           (a)  Not Applicable.

   
           (b)  (1) Registrant undertakes to file a post-effective amendment 
                    using financial statements which need not be certified, 
                    within four to six months from the effective date of 
                    Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 with respect 
                    to the Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap, Growth & Income, Value
                    and Schafer Mid-Cap Series.
    

               (2)  Registrant undertakes to file a post-effective amendment
                    using financial statements which need not be certified,
                    within four to six months from the effective date of
                    Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 with respect to
                    the Nifty Fifty, Seneca Mid-Cap, Growth & Income, Value and
                    Schafer Mid-Cap Series.


           (c)  The information called for by Item 5A of Form N-1A is contained
                in the Fund's annual report to shareholders; accordingly, the
                Fund hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a
                prospectus is delivered with a copy of the Fund's latest annual
                report, upon request and without charge.

           (d)  Registrant undertakes to provide the information specified
                pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 512 (Reg. ss.229.512), as
                applicable, the terms of which are incorporated herein by
                reference.

           (e)  Registrant undertakes to call a special meeting of shareholders
                for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of a
                trustee or trustees and to assist in communications with other
                shareholders, as required by Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, if
                requested to do so by holders of at least 10% of a Portfolio's
                outstanding shares.

                                      C-5
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment
to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut
on the 24th day of February, 1998.
    




                                                THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND

Attest:  /s/ Thomas N. Steenburg                By: /s/ Philip R. McLoughlin
         -------------------------                  ---------------------------
            Thomas N. Steenburg                      Philip R. McLoughlin
            Assistant Secretary                            President

   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities indicated on this 24th day of February, 1998.
    


                  Signature                              Title
                  ---------                              -----

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
               C. Duane Blinn*

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
                Robert Chesek*

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
              E. Virgil Conway*

                                                         Treasurer
 ---------------------------------------------
              Nancy G. Curtiss*                          (Principal Financial 
                                                         and Accounting Officer)


                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
             Harry Dalzell-Payne*

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
             Francis E. Jeffries*

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
              Leroy Keith, Jr.*



           /s/ Philip R. McLoughlin                      Trustee and President
 ---------------------------------------------
             Philip R. McLoughlin                        (Principal Executive
                                                          Officer)



                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
              Everett L. Morris*

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
               James M. Oates*

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
             Calvin J. Pedersen*

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
             Philip R. Reynolds*

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------
              Herbert Roth, Jr.*


                                     S-1(C)
<PAGE>

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------

             Richard E. Segerson*

                                                         Trustee
 ---------------------------------------------

           Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.*

By:  /s/ Philip R. McLoughlin
         -------------------------------
        *Philip R. McLoughlin, pursuant to powers of attorney filed previously.

                                     S-2(C)

                                                     
                                   EXHIBIT 5.8
                          Investment Advisory Agreement

<PAGE>


                          INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT


    THIS AGREEMENT made effective as of the ___ day of ___________, 199__ by and
between The Phoenix Edge Series Fund, a Massachusetts business trust having a
place of business located at 101 Munson Street, Greenfield, Massachusetts (the
"Trust") and Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation
having a place of business located at 56 Prospect Street, Hartford, Connecticut
(the "Adviser").

        WITNESSETH THAT:

        1.    The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment adviser
to the Trust on behalf of the following series of the Trust established and
designated by the Trustees on or before the date hereof, namely [NAME OF SERIES]
(the "Existing Series"), for the period and on the terms set forth herein. The
Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services described in
this Agreement for the compensation herein provided.

        2.    In the event that the Trustees desire to retain the Adviser to 
render investment advisory services hereunder with respect to one or more 
additional series ("Additional Series"), the Trust shall notify the Adviser in 
writing. If the Adviser is willing to render such services, it shall notify the
Trust in writing, whereupon such Additional Series shall become subject to the 
terms and conditions of this Agreement.

        3.    The Adviser shall furnish continuously an investment program for 
the Existing Series and any Additional Series which may become subject to the 
terms and conditions set forth herein (sometimes collectively referred to as the
"Series") and shall manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of each
Series, subject at all times to the supervision of the Trustees.

        4.    With respect to managing the investment and reinvestment of the
Series' assets, the Adviser shall provide, at its own expense:

              (a)     Investment research, advice and supervision;

              (b)     An investment program for each Series consistent with its
                      investment objectives;

              (c)     Implementation of the investment program for each Series
                      including the purchase and sale of securities;

              (d)     Advice and assistance on the general operations of the 
                      Trust; and

              (e)     Regular reports to the Trustees on the implementation of 
                      each Series' investment program.

<PAGE>

                                       -2-

         5.   The Adviser shall, for all purposes herein, be deemed to be an 
independent contractor.

         6.   The Adviser shall furnish at its own expense, or pay the expenses 
of the Trust, for the following:

              (a)     Office facilities, including office space, furniture and 
                      equipment;

              (b)     Personnel necessary to perform the functions required to
                      manage the investment and reinvestment of each Series' 
                      assets (including those required for research, statistical
                      and investment work);

              (c)     Personnel to serve without salaries from the Trust as 
                      officers or agents of the Trust. The Adviser need not 
                      provide personnel to perform, or pay the expenses of the 
                      Trust for, services customarily performed for an open-end
                      management investment company by its national distributor,
                      custodian, financial agent, transfer agent, auditors and 
                      legal counsel; and

              (d)     Compensation and expenses, if any, of the Trustees who 
                      are also full-time employees of the Adviser or any of its 
                      affiliates; and

              (e)     Any subadviser recommended by the Adviser and appointed 
                      to act on behalf of the Trust.

        7.    All costs and expenses not specifically enumerated herein as 
payable by the Adviser shall be paid by the Trust. Such expenses shall include,
but shall not be limited to, all expenses (other than those specifically
referred to as being borne by the Adviser) incurred in the operation of the
Trust and any public offering of its shares, including, among others, interest,
taxes, brokerage fees and commissions, fees of Trustees who are not full-time
employees of the Adviser or any of its affiliates, expenses of Trustees' and
shareholders' meetings including the cost of printing and mailing proxies,
expenses of insurance premiums for fidelity and other coverage, expenses of
repurchase and redemption of shares, expenses of issue and sale of shares (to
the extent not borne by its national distributor under its agreement with the
Trust), expenses of printing and mailing stock certificates representing shares
of the Trust, association membership dues, charges of custodians, transfer
agents, dividend disbursing agents and financial agents, bookkeeping, auditing
and legal expenses. The Trust will also pay the fees and bear the expense of
registering and maintaining the registration of the Trust and its shares with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and registering or qualifying its shares
under state or other securities laws and the expense of preparing and mailing
prospectuses and reports to shareholders. Additionally, if authorized by the
Trustees, the Trust shall pay for extraordinary expenses and expenses of a
non-recurring nature which may include, but not be limited to the reasonable and
proportionate 


<PAGE>
                                      -3-

cost of any reorganization or acquisition of assets and the cost of legal 
proceedings to which the Trust is a party.

         8.   For providing the services and assuming the expenses outlined 
herein, the Trust agrees that the Adviser shall be compensated as follows:

              (a)     Within eight days after the end of each month, the Trust 
                      shall pay the Adviser a monthly fee with respect to each 
                      Series at the following annual rate of [insert fee 
                      structure]. The amounts payable to the Adviser with 
                      respect to each Series shall be based upon the average 
                      of the values of the net assets of such Series as of the 
                      close of business each day, computed in accordance with
                      the Trust's Declaration of Trust.

              (b)     Compensation shall accrue immediately upon the effective 
                      date of this Agreement.

              (c)     If there is termination of this Agreement during a month, 
                      each Series' fee for that month shall be proportionately 
                      computed upon the average of the daily net asset values 
                      of such Series for such partial period in such month.

              (d)     The Adviser agrees to reimburse the Trust for the amount, 
                      if any, by which the total operating and management 
                      expenses for any Series (including the Adviser's 
                      compensation, pursuant to this paragraph, but excluding 
                      taxes, interest, costs of portfolio acquisitions and 
                      dispositions and extraordinary expenses), for any "fiscal 
                      year" exceed the level of expenses which such Series is
                      permitted to bear under the most restrictive expense 
                      limitation (which is not waived by the State) imposed on 
                      open-end investment companies by any state in which 
                      shares of such Series are then qualified. Such 
                      reimbursement, if any, will be made by the Adviser to the 
                      Trust within five days after the end of each month. For 
                      the purpose of this subparagraph (d), the term "fiscal 
                      year" shall include the portion of the then current 
                      fiscal year which shall have elapsed at the date of 
                      termination of this Agreement.

         9.   The services of the Adviser to the Trust are not to be deemed 
exclusive, the Adviser being free to render services to others and to engage in
other activities. Without relieving the Adviser of its duties hereunder and
subject to the prior approval of the Trustees and subject further to compliance
with applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
the Adviser may appoint one or more agents to perform any of the functions and
services which are to be provided under the terms of this Agreement upon such
terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon among the Trust, the Adviser
and any such agent.

<PAGE>

                                      -4-

         10.  The Adviser shall not be liable to the Trust or to any shareholder
of the Trust for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss
suffered by the Trust or by any shareholder of the Trust in connection with the
matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard on the part of
the Adviser in the performance of its duties hereunder.

         11.  It is understood that:

              (a)     Trustees, officers, employees, agents and shareholders of 
                      the Trust are or may be "interested persons" of the 
                      Adviser as directors, officers, stockholders or otherwise;

              (b)     Directors, officers, employees, agents and stockholders 
                      of the Adviser are or may be "interested persons" of the
                      Trust as Trustees, officers, shareholders or otherwise; 
                      and

              (c)     The existence of any such dual interest shall not affect 
                      the validity hereof or of any transactions hereunder.

        12.   This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Existing
Series as of the date stated above (the "Contract Date") and with respect to any
Additional Series, on the date specified in the notice to the Trust from the
Adviser in accordance with paragraph 2 hereof that the Adviser is willing to
serve as Adviser with respect to such Additional Series. Unless terminated as
herein provided, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for a
period of two years following the Contract Date, and, with respect to each
Additional Series, until the next anniversary of the Contract Date following the
date on which such Additional Series became subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect for periods of one
year thereafter with respect to each Series so long as (a) such continuance with
respect to any such Series is approved at least annually by either the Trustees
or by a "vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities" of such
Series and (b) the terms and any renewal of this Agreement with respect to any
such Series have been approved by a vote of a majority of the Trustees who are
not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" of any such party cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; provided,
however, that the continuance of this Agreement with respect to each Additional
Series is subject to its approval by a "vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities" of any such Additional Series on or before the next
anniversary of the Contract Date following the date on which such Additional
Series became a Series hereunder.

         Any approval of this Agreement by a vote of the holders of a "majority 
of the outstanding voting securities" of any Series shall be effective to
continue this Agreement with respect to such Series notwithstanding (a) that
this Agreement has not been approved by a "vote of a majority of 


<PAGE>

                                      -5-

the outstanding voting securities" of any other Series of the Trust affected
thereby and (b) that this Agreement has not been approved by the holders of a
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Trust, unless
either such additional approval shall be required by any other applicable law or
otherwise.

        13.   The Adviser shall furnish any state insurance commissioner with 
such information or reports in connection with the services provided under this
Agreement as the Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether variable
life insurance or variable annuity operations are being conducted in accordance
with applicable law or regulations. The Trust shall own and control all records
that pertain to the services provided under this Agreement and such records
shall be open to inspection, audit and photocopying during regular business
hours by the Trustees, officers, counsel and auditors of the Trust.

        14.   The Trust may terminate this Agreement with respect to the Trust 
or to any Series upon 60 days' written notice to the Adviser at any time,
without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Trustees or, as to each
Series, by a "vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities" of such
Series. The Adviser may terminate this Agreement upon 60 days' written notice to
the Trust, without the payment of any penalty. This Agreement shall immediately
terminate in the event of its "assignment."

        15.   The terms "majority of the outstanding voting securities," 
"interested persons" and "assignment," when used herein, shall have the
respective meanings in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

        16.   It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder
shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers,
agents or employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of
the Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery
of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees and shareholders of the
Trust and signed by the President of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such
authorization by such Trustees and shareholders nor such execution and delivery
by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or
be binding upon or impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall
bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of
Trust. The Declaration of Trust, as amended, is or shall be on file with the
Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

<PAGE>

                                      -6-

        17.   This Agreement shall be construed and the rights and obligations 
of the parties hereunder enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Connecticut.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be 
executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written
above.


                                               THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND


                                               By:____________________________
                                               [NAME]
                                               [TITLE]



                                               PHOENIX INVESTMENT COUNSEL, INC.


                                               By:____________________________
                                               [NAME]
                                               [TITLE]

                                                     
                                   EXHIBIT 5.9
                              Subadvisory Agreement

<PAGE>


                          THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND

                              SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

                                                                       [date]


[Name and Address of Subadviser]


RE:      SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

Gentlemen:

The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified open-end investment
company of the series type registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the "Act"), and is subject to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
The shares of the Fund are offered or may be offered in several series,
including the [list Series subject to Subadvisory Agreement] (collectively
sometimes hereafter referred to as the "Series").

Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. (the "Adviser") evaluates and recommends series
advisers for the Series and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Series.

1.       Employment as a Subadviser. The Adviser, being duly authorized, hereby
         employs [Name of Subadviser] (the "Subadviser") as a discretionary
         series adviser to invest and reinvest the assets of the Series on the
         terms and conditions set forth herein. The services of the Subadviser
         hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive; the Subadviser may render
         services to others and engage in other activities which do not conflict
         in any material manner in the Subadviser's performance hereunder.

2.       Acceptance of Employment; Standard of Performance. The Subadviser
         accepts its employment as a discretionary series adviser of the Series
         and agrees to use its best professional judgment to make investment
         decisions for the Series in accordance with the provisions of this
         Agreement and as set forth in Schedule D attached hereto and made a
         part hereof.

3.       Services of Subadviser. In providing management services to the Series,
         the Subadviser shall be subject to the investment objectives, policies
         and restrictions of the Fund as they apply to the Series and as set
         forth in the Fund's then current Prospectus and Statement of Additional
         Information (as 


<PAGE>

                                       2

         the same may be modified from time to time and provided to the
         Subadviser by Adviser), and to the investment restrictions set forth in
         the Act and the Rules thereunder, to the supervision and control of the
         Trustees of the Fund (the "Trustees"), and to instructions from the
         Adviser. The Subadviser shall not, without the Fund's prior approval,
         effect any transactions which would cause the Series at the time of the
         transaction to be out of compliance with any of such restrictions or
         policies.

4.       Transaction Procedures. All series transactions for the Series will be
         consummated by payment to, or delivery by, the Custodian(s) from time
         to time designated by the Fund (the "Custodian"), or such depositories
         or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash
         and/or securities due to or from the Series. The Subadviser shall not
         have possession or custody of such cash and/or securities or any
         responsibility or liability with respect to such custody. The
         Subadviser shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the
         Fund all investment orders for the Series placed by it with brokers and
         dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in Schedule A hereto
         (as amended from time to time). The Fund shall issue to the Custodian
         such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the
         settlement of any transaction initiated by the Subadviser. The Fund
         shall be responsible for all custodial arrangements and the payment of
         all custodial charges and fees, and, upon giving proper instructions to
         the Custodian, the Subadviser shall have no responsibility or liability
         with respect to custodial arrangements or the act, omissions or other
         conduct of the Custodian.

5.       Allocation of Brokerage. The Subadviser shall have authority and
         discretion to select brokers and dealers to execute Series transactions
         initiated by the Subadviser, and to select the markets on or in which
         the transactions will be executed.

         A.   In placing orders for the sale and purchase of Series securities 
         for the Fund, the Subadviser's primary responsibility shall be to seek
         the best execution of orders at the most favorable prices. However,
         this responsibility shall not obligate the Subadviser to solicit
         competitive bids for each transaction or to seek the lowest available
         commission cost to the Fund, so long as the Subadviser reasonably
         believes that the broker or dealer selected by it can be expected to
         obtain a "best execution" market price on the particular transaction
         and determines in good faith that the commission cost is reasonable in
         relation to the value of the brokerage and research services (as
         defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
         provided 


<PAGE>

                                       3

         by such broker or dealer to the Subadviser, viewed in terms of either
         that particular transaction or of the Subadviser's overall
         responsibilities with respect to its clients, including the Fund, as to
         which the Subadviser exercises investment discretion, notwithstanding
         that the Fund may not be the direct or exclusive beneficiary of any
         such services or that another broker may be willing to charge the Fund
         a lower commission on the particular transaction.

         B.   Subject to the requirements of paragraph A above, the Adviser 
         shall have the right to require that transactions giving rise to
         brokerage commissions, in an amount to be agreed upon by the Adviser
         and the Subadviser, shall be executed by brokers and dealers that
         provide brokerage or research services to the Fund or that will be of
         value to the Fund in the management of its assets, which services and
         relationship may, but need not, be of direct benefit to the Series. In
         addition, subject to paragraph A above and the applicable Conduct Rules
         of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Fund shall
         have the right to request that series transactions be executed by
         brokers and dealers by or through whom sales of shares of the Fund are
         made.

         C.   The Subadviser shall not execute any Series transactions for the
         Series with a broker or dealer that is an "affiliated person" (as
         defined in the Act) of the Fund, the Subadviser or the Adviser without
         the prior written approval of the Fund. The Fund will provide the
         Subadviser with a list of brokers and dealers that are "affiliated
         persons" of the Fund or Adviser.

6.       Proxies. The Fund, or the Adviser as its authorized agent, will vote
         all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities
         in which assets of the Series may be invested. At the request of the
         Fund, the Subadviser shall provide the Fund with its recommendations as
         to the voting of particular proxies.

7.       Fees for Services. The compensation of the Subadviser for its services
         under this Agreement shall be calculated and paid by the Adviser in
         accordance with the attached Schedule C. Pursuant to the Investment
         Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser, the Adviser is
         solely responsible for the payment of fees to the Subadviser.

8.       Limitation of Liability. The Subadviser shall not be liable for any 
         action taken, omitted or suffered to be taken by it in its best
         professional judgment, in good faith and believed by it to be
         authorized or within the discretion or rights or


<PAGE>

                                       4

         powers conferred upon it by this Agreement, or in accordance with
         specific directions or instructions from the Fund, provided, however,
         that such acts or omissions shall not have constituted a breach of the
         investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the
         Series and that such acts or omissions shall not have resulted from the
         Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence, a
         violation of the standard of care established by and applicable to the
         Subadviser in its actions under this Agreement or a breach of its duty
         or of its obligations hereunder (provided, however, that the foregoing
         shall not be construed to protect the Subadviser from liability under
         the Act).

9.       Confidentiality. Subject to the duty of the Subadviser and the Fund to
         comply with applicable law, including any demand of any regulatory or
         taxing authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as
         confidential all information pertaining to the Series and the actions
         of the Subadviser and the Fund in respect thereof.

10.      Assignment. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event
         of its assignment, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the
         Act. The Subadviser shall notify the Fund in writing sufficiently in
         advance of any proposed change of control, as defined in Section
         2(a)(9) of the Act, as will enable the Fund to consider whether an
         assignment as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act will occur, and to
         take the steps necessary to enter into a new contract with the
         Subadviser.

11.      Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Subadviser. The
         Subadviser represents, warrants and agrees that:

              A.      It is registered as an "Investment Adviser" under the
              Investment  Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act").

              B.      It will maintain, keep current and preserve on behalf of
              the Fund, in the manner required or permitted by the Act and
              the Rules thereunder, the records identified in Schedule B (as
              Schedule B may be amended from time to time). The Subadviser
              agrees that such records are the property of the Fund, and
              will be surrendered to the Fund or to Adviser as agent of the
              Fund promptly upon request of either.

              C.      It has or shall adopt a written code of ethics complying
              with the requirements of Rule 17j-l under the Act and will
              provide the Fund and Adviser with a copy of the code of ethics
              and evidence of its adoption. 


<PAGE>

                                       5

              Subadviser acknowledges receipt of the written code of ethics 
              adopted by and on behalf of the Fund (the "Code of Ethics"). 
              Within 10 days of the end of each calendar quarter while this 
              Agreement is in effect, a duly authorized compliance officer of 
              the Subadviser shall certify to the Fund and to Adviser that the
              Subadviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-l during
              the previous calendar quarter and that there has been no violation
              of its code of ethics, or the Code of Ethics, or if such a 
              violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in 
              response to such violation. The Subadviser shall permit the Fund
              and Adviser to examine the reports required to be made by the
              Subadviser under Rule 17j-l(c)(1) and this subparagraph.

              D.      Reference is hereby made to the Declaration of Trust dated
              February 18, 1986, establishing the Fund, a copy of which has
              been filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
              Massachusetts and elsewhere as required by law, and to any and
              all amendments thereto so filed with the Secretary of the
              Commonwealth of Massachusetts and elsewhere as required by
              law, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed or
              hereafter filed. The name "The Phoenix Edge Series Fund"
              refers to the Trustees under said Declaration of Trust, as
              Trustees and not personally, and no Trustee, shareholder,
              officer, agent or employee of the Fund shall be held to any
              personal liability in connection with the affairs of the Fund;
              only the trust estate under said Declaration of Trust is
              liable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
              neither the Subadviser nor any of its officers, directors,
              partners, shareholders or employees shall, under any
              circumstances, have recourse or cause or willingly permit
              recourse to be had directly or indirectly to any personal,
              statutory, or other liability of any shareholder, Trustee,
              officer, agent or employee of the Fund or of any successor of
              the Fund, whether such liability now exists or is hereafter
              incurred for claims against the trust estate.

12.      Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time, but only by
         written agreement among the Subadviser, the Adviser and the Fund, which
         amendment, other than amendments to Schedules A, B, and D, is subject
         to the approval of the Trustees and the Shareholders of the Fund as and
         to the extent required by the Act.

13.      Effective Date; Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the date
         set forth on the first page of this Agreement, and shall continue in
         effect until the 


<PAGE>

                                       6

         first meeting of the shareholders of the Series, and, if its renewal is
         approved at that meeting in the manner required by the Act, shall
         continue in effect thereafter only so long as its continuance has been
         specifically approved at least annually by the Trustees in accordance
         with Section 15(a) of the Investment Company Act, and by the majority
         vote of the disinterested Trustees in accordance with the requirements
         of Section 15(c) thereof.

14.      Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by any party, without
         penalty, immediately upon written notice to the other parties in the
         event of a breach of any provision thereof by a party so notified, or
         otherwise upon thirty (30) days' written notice to the other parties,
         but any such termination shall not affect the status, obligations or
         liabilities of any party hereto to the other parties.

15.      Applicable Law. To the extent that state law is not preempted by the
         provisions of any law of the United States heretofore or hereafter
         enacted, as the same may be amended from time to time, this Agreement
         shall be administered, construed and enforced according to the laws of
         the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

16.      Severability. If any term or condition of this Agreement shall be
         invalid or unenforceable to any extent or in any application, then the
         remainder of this

<PAGE>

                                       7

         Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each and every term and
         condition of this Agreement shall be valid and enforced to the fullest
         extent permitted by law.

                                             THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND


                                             By:______________________________
                                                  [Name]
                                                  [Title]

                                             PHOENIX INVESTMENT COUNSEL, INC.


                                             By:______________________________
                                                  [Name]
                                                  [Title]


ACCEPTED:

[NAME OF SUBADVISER]


By: _________________________________
      [Name]
      [Title]

SCHEDULES:        A.       Operational Procedures
                  B.       Record Keeping Requirements
                  C.       Fee Schedule
                  D.       Subadviser Functions


<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE A

                             OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

In order to minimize operational problems, it will be necessary for a flow of
information to be supplied to State Street Bank and Trust Company (the
"Custodian"), the custodian for the Fund.

The Subadviser must furnish the Custodian with daily information as to executed
trades, or, if no trades are executed, with a report to that effect, no later
than 5 p.m. (Eastern Standard time) on the day of the trade (confirmation
received from broker). The necessary information can be sent via facsimile
machine to the Custodian. Information provided to the Custodian shall include
the following:

         1.       Purchase or sale;
         2.       Security name;
         3.       CUSIP number (if applicable);
         4.       Number of shares and sales price per share;
         5.       Executing broker;
         6.       Settlement agent;
         7.       Trade date;
         8.       Settlement date;
         9.       Aggregate commission or if a net trade;
         10.      Interest purchased or sold from interest bearing security;
         11.      Other fees;
         12.      Net proceeds of the transaction;
         13.      Exchange where trade was executed; and
         14.      Identified tax lot (if applicable).

When opening accounts with brokers for, and in the name of, the Fund, the
account must be a cash account. No margin accounts are to be maintained in the
name of the Fund. Delivery instructions are as specified by the Custodian. The
Custodian will supply the Subadviser daily with a cash availability report. This
will normally be done by telex so that the Subadviser will know the amount
available for investment purposes.


<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE B

                   RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE SUBADVISER

1.       (Rule 31a-1(b)(5)) A record of each brokerage order, and all other
         series purchases and sales, given by the Subadviser on behalf of the
         Fund for, or in connection with, the purchase or sale of securities,
         whether executed or unexecuted. Such records shall include:

         A.   The name of the broker;
         B.   The terms and conditions of the order and of any modifications or
              cancellations thereof; 
         C.   The time of entry or cancellation; 
         D.   The price at which executed; 
         E.   The time of receipt of a report of execution; and 
         F.   The name of the person who placed the order on behalf of the Fund.

2.       (Rule 31a-1(b)(9)) A record for each fiscal quarter, completed within
         ten (10) days after the end of the quarter, showing specifically the
         basis or bases upon which the allocation of orders for the purchase and
         sale of series securities to named brokers or dealers was effected, and
         the division of brokerage commissions or other compensation on such
         purchase and sale orders. Such record:

         A.   Shall include the consideration given to:
              (i)     The sale of shares of the Fund by brokers or dealers.
              (ii)    The supplying of services or benefits by brokers or 
                      dealers to:
                      (a)   The Fund,
                      (b)   The Adviser (Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc.)
                      (c)   The Subadviser, and
                      (d)   Any person other than the foregoing.
              (iii)   Any other consideration other than the technical
                      qualifications of the brokers and dealers as such.
         B.   Shall show the nature of the services or benefits made available.
         C.   Shall describe in detail the application of any general or
              specific formula or other determinant used in arriving at such
              allocation of purchase and sale orders and such division of
              brokerage commissions or other compensation.
         D.   The name of the person responsible for making the determination 
              of such allocation and such division of brokerage commissions or
              other compensation.



<PAGE>


3.       (Rule 31a-(b)(10)) A record in the form of an appropriate memorandum
         identifying the person or persons, committees or groups authorizing the
         purchase or sale of series securities. Where an authorization is made
         by a committee or group, a record shall be kept of the names of its
         members who participate in the authorization. There shall be retained
         as part of this record: any memorandum, recommendation or instruction
         supporting or authorizing the purchase or sale of series securities and
         such other information as is appropriate to support the authorization.*

4.       (Rule 31a-1(f)) Such accounts, books and other documents as are
         required to be maintained by registered investment advisers by rule
         adopted under Section 204 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, to
         the extent such records are necessary or appropriate to record the
         Subadviser's transactions for the Fund.













- --------------------------------------
*Such information might include: current financial information, annual and
quarterly reports, press releases, reports by analysts and from brokerage firms
(including their recommendation; i.e., buy, sell, hold) or any internal reports
or subadviser review.


<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE C

                                 SUBADVISORY FEE


         (a) For services provided to the Fund, the Adviser will pay to the
Subadviser, on or before the 10th day of each month, a fee, payable in arrears,
at the annual rate of [insert fee structure] The fees shall be prorated for any
month during which this agreement is in effect for only a portion of the month.
In computing the fee to be paid to the Subadviser, the net asset value of the
Fund and each Series shall be valued as set forth in the then current
registration statement of the Fund.



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE D

                              SUBADVISER FUNCTIONS

         With respect to managing the investment and reinvestment of the Series'
assets, the Subadviser shall provide, at its own expense:

         (a)      An investment program for the Series consistent with its
                  investment objectives based upon the development, review and
                  adjustment of buy/sell strategies approved from time to time
                  by the Board of Trustees and Adviser;

         (b)      Implementation of the investment program for the Series based 
                  upon the foregoing criteria;

         (c)      Quarterly reports, in form and substance acceptable to the 
                  Adviser, with respect to: i) compliance with the Code of
                  Ethics and the Subadviser's code of ethics; ii) compliance
                  with procedures adopted from time to time by the Trustees of
                  the Fund relative to securities eligible for resale under Rule
                  144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; iii)
                  diversification of Series assets in accordance with the then
                  prevailing prospectus and statement of additional information
                  pertaining to the Series and governing laws; iv) compliance
                  with governing restrictions relating to the fair valuation of
                  securities for which market quotations are not readily
                  available or considered "illiquid" for the purposes of
                  complying with the Series' limitation on acquisition of
                  illiquid securities; v) any and all other reports reasonably
                  requested in accordance with or described in this Agreement;
                  and, vi) the implementation of the Series' investment program,
                  including, without limitation, analysis of Series performance;

         (d)      Attendance by appropriate representatives of the Subadviser at
                  meetings requested by the Adviser or Trustees at such time(s)
                  and location(s) as reasonably requested by the Adviser or
                  Trustees; and

         (e)      Participation, overall assistance and support in marketing the
                  Series, including, without limitation, meetings with pension
                  fund representatives, broker/dealers who have a sales
                  agreement with Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation, and other
                  parties requested by the Adviser.



                                  EXHIBIT 10.5
                         OPINION AND CONSENT OF COUNSEL

<PAGE>




                                            February 24 , 1998






Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

Ladies and Gentlemen:

    This undersigned serves as Counsel to Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance
Company ("Phoenix Home Life"). Shares of The Phoenix Edge Series Fund, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Phoenix Fund") are issued to one or more
designated separate accounts of Phoenix Home Life. In my capacity as Counsel, I
have represented these entities in connection with the preparation and filing of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Fund's Registration Statement on Form
N-1A under which shares of the Fund have been registered (the "Registration
Statement"). I am admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut and am
familiar with Massachusetts law applicable to this entity.

    This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of shares of the Engemann Nifty Fifty
Series, Seneca Mid-Cap Growth Series, Phoenix Income and Growth Series, Phoenix
Value Equity Series and Schafer Mid-Cap Value Series ("Shares") of the Phoenix
Fund.

    In rendering my opinion, I have examined such documents, records, and
matters of law as I deemed necessary for purposes of this opinion. I have
assumed the genuineness of all signatures of all parties, the authenticity of
all documents submitted as originals, the correctness of all copies, and the
correctness of all facts set forth in the certificates delivered to me and the
correctness of all written or oral statements made to me.

    Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is my opinion that the Shares
that will be issued by the Phoenix Fund will, when sold, be legally issued,
fully paid, and nonassessable.
<PAGE>
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 24, 1998
Page 2



    My opinion is rendered solely in connection with the Registration Statement
and may not be relied upon for any other purposes without my written consent. I
hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to such Registration
Statement.

                                            Yours truly,



                                            /s/ Edwin L. Kerr
                                            Edwin L. Kerr



                                   EXHIBIT 11
                     WRITTEN CONSENT OF PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP


<PAGE>

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTS



 We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information
 constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the registration
 statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated
 February 12, 1997, relating to the financial statements and financial
 highlights of the Money Market Series, Growth Series, Multi-Sector Fixed Income
 Series, Total Return (currently Strategic Allocation) Series, International
 Series, Balanced Series, Real Estate Series, Strategic Theme Series and
 Aberdeen New Asia Series of the Phoenix Edge Series Fund, which appears in such
 Statement of Additional Information, and to the incorporation by reference of
 our report into the Prospectus which constitutes parts of this Registration
 Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings
 "Independent Accounts" and "Financial Statements" in such Statement of
 Additional Information and to the references to us under the headings
 "Financial Highlights" and "Other Information" in such Prospectus.


PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 23, 1998


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